Meet Chizuko Kimura, the first female sushi chef to earn a Michelin star—and the woman who honored her husband's legacy
In the world of sushi, tradition runs deep, and for the longest time, that tradition didn't include women behind the counter. But Chizuko Kimura wasn't having it. She quietly (and skillfully) carved her way into one of the most male-dominated culinary spaces and came out with one of the world's top honors: a Michelin star.
That's right—Kimura is the first female sushi chef to earn a Michelin star, and her story is every bit as bold as her sushi.
While sushi chefs are often portrayed as stern-faced men wielding knives like samurai, Kimura brings a calm presence and razor-sharp technique that's just as commanding. Her journey wasn't easy. For years, women in Japan were told they couldn't be sushi chefs because of outdated beliefs. Some claimed women's hands were 'too warm' and would ruin the fish.
Others cited superstition or tradition as reasons to keep women out of the sushi world entirely.
But Kimura didn't just challenge that, thinking she destroyed it with every perfectly formed piece of nigiri she served. She trained relentlessly, worked quietly, and let her food speak louder than any stereotype.
Kimura's dedication to her craft caught the attention of the Michelin Guide, which awarded her restaurant a star making her the first woman in the sushi world to reach such a height.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Unsold And Never Used SUV Is Almost Given Away (See Price)
Luxury SUV Deals | Search Ads
Search Now
Undo
It wasn't just a win for her, but for every aspiring female chef who has been told 'no' because of tradition or gender. Kimura proved that talent has no gender and that great sushi is about skill, not who's holding the knife.
Chizuko Kimura grew up near the ocean in Odawara, Japan, where seafood wasn't just dinner it was a way of life. While she didn't grow up cooking, her family meals were filled with the aroma of soy sauce and fresh fish vivid memories she says still linger in her nose and taste buds
In 2004, she moved to Paris as a tour guide. One fateful evening, she wandered into a sushi bar and met her future husband, Shunei Kimura, who was working behind the counter. They married a year later and dreamed of sharing traditional Edomae-style sushi with the world
Shunei spent decades honing his craft in Paris before opening Sushi Shunei in 2021 on Montmartre. Unfortunately, he was battling liver cancer during the final stretch. As Shunei's health declined, Chizuko stepped in learning sushi-making, rice seasoning, and running the restaurant while caring for him. She did all this with zero formal training, just observing and absorbing every detail he taught her
In 2022, Sushi Shunei earned its first Michelin star—Shunei's dream came true. Just three months later, he passed away. Chizuko vowed to keep the restaurant going to honor his legacy—and ultimately re-earned the Michelin star in 2025, becoming the first female sushi chef in history to do so
Chizuko Kimura isn't just a trailblazer—she's a reminder that tradition can evolve, that excellence isn't bound by gender, and that sometimes the most powerful statements are made one bite at a time.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 Update: Tulsi leaves anniversary party to rescue Angad as he gets arrested by cops; Pari reveals about her affair to Tulsi
The latest episode of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 started with the Viranis getting ready for Tulsi-Mihir's 38th anniversary celebration. The second episode begins with Mihir walking down the stairs of Shanti Niketan, all decked up for the party and his kids praise him for looking fit even at this age. He gives all the credit to his wife, while on the other hand, Tulsi tries hard to fit into her old outfits, but is unable to do it. She talks to herself that she has put on weight which is why none of her clothes are fitting her. Tulsi's daughter Pari body-shames her and also makes her realise that she doesn't take care of herself and that she should learn from her father Mihir. She advises her to care less about others and look after herself. Tulsi requests Pari to wear a saree on the special occasion. Initially, she refuses but she later gives in. Pari rushes out of the room as her boyfriend starts calling her and she gets scared of getting caught by her mother Tulsi. While she is talking with her boyfriend outside the room, she comes face-to-face with Tulsi but she manages to cover up. Trying to make the best of the situation, Tulsi chooses to wear an old saree for the party. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like For all your EV needs ScottishPower Learn More Undo Rather than criticising her appearance or making her feel uncomfortable, Mihir uplifts her with kind words and support. However, the evening takes a sour turn when Gayatri Chachi's friend makes a harsh comment about Tulsi's weight, implying she doesn't fit the image of Mihir's 'ideal' partner. Tulsi accidentally hears the remark, and though deeply hurt, she composes herself, holds back her tears, and bravely steps into the celebration. As they are about to start the celebration and cake cutting, all the family members realise that Angad is missing and they decide to wait for him. Tulsi gets a call from Angad and he requests her to reach a location as he has got into trouble. Tulsi makes an excuse and lies with the family that Angad's car has broken down and she is going to get him. Upon reaching the location, Tulsi realises Angad is in the police station and is reprimanded by the cops. Tusli approaches the cops and tries to understand the situation. They get arrested due to a car accident. Angad tells the police he wasn't driving under the influence of alcohol. One of the officers explains that a blood test is required and then lets Angad leave. Before heading home, Angad asks Tulsi not to tell Mihir about what happened at the police station. Tulsi feels like he's hiding something. As soon as they reach home, a junior officer updates his senior about a serious accident — but it's unclear if Angad is connected to it. During the party, Mihir gets happy seeing a business partner and his family arriving at the party. He informs Tulsi that he is planning to get their daughter married to his business partner's son. Tulsi stops him and asks him to discuss with their daughter first. Pari overhears the conversation and leaves the party. She heads straight into her room as Tulsi approaches her. She gets mad at Tulsi and blames her for the entire situation. Gayatri Chachi attempts to step in, but Tulsi handles the situation calmly. In a moment of frustration, Pari reveals that she's dating someone who doesn't meet the family's expectations. When Tulsi questions her further, Pari chooses not to share any more. She simply asks Tulsi if she'll stand by her. The episode ends on a suspenseful note. Smriti Irani reveals her first salary as Tulsi Virani in 'Kyukii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi': 'My makeup man was embarrassed...'
Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
Samay Raina announces nationwide comedy tour after India's Got Latent controversy: ‘Still alive and...'
Comedian Samay Raina has announced his return to the public eye with a stand-up comedy tour throughout India, months after his YouTube talent show India's Got Latent sparked a controversy over YouTuber-podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia's allegedly offensive "joke. " His India tour, titled Samay Raina: Still Alive and Unfiltered, will start on August 15, which aligns with Independence Day, and run through October 5, where he will perform in major cities throughout the nation. Samay is making his first tour since the India's Got Latent controversy and the ensuing legal actions against him. He disclosed that the tour will begin in Bengaluru on August 15 and that tickets for the different tour legs are currently available on the entertainment ticketing website BookMyShow. After that, he will visit Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Pune before wrapping up the tour on October 5 in New Delhi. Samay is considered one of the most controversial comics in modern India and has made headlines on a number of occasions in recent years. He gained popularity as the co-winner of the stand-up comedy reality show Comicstaan 2 (2019). In reality, his India's Got Latent had been involved in a number of controversies since it started in June 2024, even prior to the Ranveer Allahbadia incident. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Undo However, India's Got Latent gained national attention for a controversial moment involving Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as BeerBiceps. During a segment, Ranveer posed an inappropriate hypothetical question to a participant that, while met with laughter from the live audience, sparked widespread backlash once the clip surfaced online. Both Ranveer and co-host Samay Raina faced criticism and legal complaints, with the matter still pending. Following the incident, all episodes of the show were removed from Samay's YouTube channel.
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Kanye West and Bianca Censori 'unusual and troubling' social media posts raise concerns. Here's what they said
Kanye West and Bianca Censori have triggered concern on social media following a sequence of unusual and troubling posts. Kanye's masked photo and Bianca's hacking alert have fueled new speculation. Their actions have drawn attention, especially as the rapper faces serious accusations and divorce rumors continue. Kanye West Shares Masked Photo Online Kanye West, aged 48, posted a photo on Instagram showing himself wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a mask. The photo appeared in his Instagram Story. Other posts included artwork and images from a recent visit to South Korea. These posts were cryptic and raised concerns among his followers. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Others MBA Artificial Intelligence Public Policy Finance Data Science Data Analytics Technology Degree Project Management Digital Marketing healthcare PGDM Data Science Management Healthcare MCA Leadership Operations Management Cybersecurity CXO others Design Thinking Product Management Skills you'll gain: Duration: 9 months IIM Lucknow SEPO - IIML CHRO India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Exec Cert Prog in AI for Biz India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 28 Weeks MICA CERT-MICA SBMPR Async India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 16 Weeks Indian School of Business CERT-ISB Transforming HR with Analytics & AI India Starts on undefined Get Details Bianca Censori Issues Instagram Hacking Alert Shortly after Kanye's post, his wife Bianca Censori, aged 30, updated her Instagram Story. She wrote that her account had experienced repeated hacking. She told followers that 'anything weird is not me.' This marked one of the few times she directly addressed her followers in a message. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Beyond Text Generation: An AI Tool That Helps You Write Better Grammarly Install Now Undo Also Read: Baba Vanga's 2025 Predictions: World War 3 possibility, natural disasters rise, biological experiment going wrong, alien discovery, shift in technology and AI. Here's complete list Bianca Censori Previous Post Deletions Raise Questions Bianca had earlier deleted several posts from her Instagram profile. Only a few photos remained. These included images from a hotel suite in Japan, taken during an October 2024 trip with Kanye. This sudden cleanup of her feed added to the mystery surrounding her current message. Live Events Serious Allegations Filed Against Kanye West Just before Kanye's upcoming concert in China, his former personal assistant, Lauren Pisciotta, filed a lawsuit. The lawsuit includes multiple allegations, such as sexual assault, physical assault, harassment, sex trafficking and false imprisonment. The case adds to the artist's public controversies and ongoing legal struggles. Couple Appears in Seoul Ahead of Rescheduled Concert The couple was recently spotted at the airport in Seoul, South Korea. They wore matching black outfits. Kanye wore his usual streetwear. Bianca wore a bodysuit with a sheer top and knee-high boots. She also carried a Hermès Birkin bag. Also Read: Ozzy Osbourne Funeral Tributes: Family Visits Black Sabbath Bench on Broad Street Contrasting Posts from Kanye West and Bianca Censori Kanye followed his masked post with more images. These included a masked man in a green hoodie, smoke on a concert stage, and fireworks. Bianca's recent photos showed her in sheer lingerie with a blonde wig. These were reportedly taken by Kanye himself. Marriage Rumors Resurface Amid Public Tensions The couple married in December 2022. However, they have often been the subject of divorce rumors. Page Six reported in March that Bianca had considered leaving Kanye. Sources claimed she feared his control over many parts of her life. A source told the outlet that Bianca once left for another hotel. Kanye allegedly found out and sent security to retrieve her. The source added that Kanye would not leave her alone and stayed close to her location. FAQs Why did Bianca Censori issue a hacking warning on Instagram? Bianca said her account was hacked repeatedly and warned followers that any strange content should not be seen as coming from her. What are the recent legal issues involving Kanye West? Kanye West's former assistant has filed a lawsuit alleging serious claims including assault, trafficking, and false imprisonment.
