Latest news with #Bellevue
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
ShoMan in Seattle Makes A Convincing Case For Kappo-Style Dining
Most Japanese food fans have experienced omakase, a lavish multi-course menu determined by the chef. Kappo-style sushi restaurants amp up that approach by adding luxe creations including elegant dashi-based preparations made while guests watch. Here's how one restaurant owner is determined to take this approach to a bigger stage. Yoshi Yokoyama has been in the business of making seafood lovers swoon for years, dating back to the opening of I Love Sushi in the Seattle suburb of Bellevue back in the 1980s. When sushi legend Shiro Kashiba left his namesake restaurant to rock and roll at a new spot at the Pike Place Market, he turned his original operation over to Yokoyama. Last fall, the enterprising entrepreneur launched the stylish ShoMan just a few blocks away. Its configuration – with 14 seats wrapping around the busy kitchen – sets the tone for the elaborate meal. The chefs are the stars, diners the appreciative audience. The feast isn't fussy, though. There's plenty of conversation playing out between bites and admiring mmmm's. Yokoyama recalled what spoke to him about this approach to dining during a recent interview via email. For those who aren't familiar, how would you describe Kappo-style dining? Kappo is a traditional Japanese dining style where guests are seated at a counter facing an open kitchen, and the chef prepares each dish in front of them, often after engaging in conversation to understand their preferences. The word kappo is derived from two kanji characters: katsu (割), meaning "to cut," and ho (烹), meaning "to cook." Together, they reflect the essence of this style—cutting and cooking, performed in full view of the guest. Kappo dining typically includes both à la carte options and dishes crafted spontaneously from rare or seasonal ingredients delivered fresh each day. Chefs may also customize dishes based on individual requests. Many kappo restaurants—especially at the high end—offer multi-course tasting menus. At ShoMon, we currently serve our menu in a course format, but we are gradually exploring more flexible offerings to better suit the tastes and expectations of our American guests. What's the history of this type of approach? While kappo originally referred to cooking more broadly, it evolved in the late 17th to 18th centuries—particularly in Osaka—into a refined dining style where chefs prepare and serve food directly in front of diners. It thrived within the merchant culture of the time, emphasizing seasonality, skill, and hospitality, often paired with sake. In the late 19th century, as Western cuisine gained popularity, kappo played a vital role in preserving traditional Japanese culinary techniques. The style spread beyond urban centers and became recognized as a refined and elegant form of dining. By the mid-20th century, more casual taishū kappo restaurants began to appear, making the experience more accessible, while high-end kappo establishments continued to emphasize tradition and craftsmanship. Today, counter-style kappo has grown in popularity, fostering direct interaction between chefs and guests, and continues to evolve as a uniquely Japanese expression of seasonality, artistry, and connection. The amount of prep that goes into each service is impressive. What's the daily routine for each chef? Our chefs begin prep work around 10:00 a.m., followed by a short break in the afternoon. Dinner service begins at 5:00 p.m. and typically runs until around 10:30 or 11:00 p.m. Can you provide some background on the chef who's in charge of the dashi? Our dashi is overseen by Assistant Head Chef Taka Murakami, who spent a decade training and working at a Michelin-starred kappo restaurant in Kyoto before joining our team. How did you find this collection of talented chefs? All of our chefs were introduced through personal referrals or professional recruiters. I personally conducted the final interviews for each of them. Our current team includes: What's the plan for expanding? For now, we are focused on establishing and promoting the kappo concept through ShoMon in Seattle, with the goal of increasing awareness and appreciation across the U.S. Once we've built a strong foundation here, we plan to explore expansion through additional locations. Because many ingredients are imported from Japan, what's the strategy for dealing with tariffs? While the 10 percent Global Tariff has already taken effect, the 24 percent Reciprocal Tariff (applicable to Japan) has been temporarily suspended for 90 days. Given the uncertainty, we're not in a position to implement a definitive long-term strategy. Supplier responses vary widely, with many still determining their approach. For now, our priority is staying informed and maintaining a flexible internal framework that allows us to respond swiftly and effectively as the situation evolves. What's your favorite item on the menu? And your favorite kappo-style restaurant in Japan? We take immense pride in our dashi, which we believe to be among the finest in the world. Any dish at ShoMon that incorporates this dashi is one I hold in the highest regard. We are continuously refining our offerings to ensure that they resonate with our American guests and exceed their expectations. As for kappo restaurants in Japan, there are countless exceptional ones—each with its own distinct character—so it's difficult to choose a single favorite. Through my past experiences and ongoing visits to kappo restaurants across Japan, I remain committed to refining a style that brings the most joy to our guests here.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Agentic AI: The Next Leap In Container-Based Threat Detection
Ranga Premsai - Technical fellow in Cybersecurity and identity management. As organizations race to adopt AI-powered applications, the cybersecurity threat landscape is evolving just as rapidly. At the intersection of innovation and risk lies a growing challenge: How do we secure containerized AI workloads that operate with dynamic access privileges and autonomy? Agentic AI systems capable of independent decision-making have emerged not only as a computational advancement, but also as a critical force multiplier in modern cybersecurity. By leveraging agentic AI for container-based threat detection, organizations can move from reactive security to proactive defense, especially within the realm of identity and access management (IAM). As a technical fellow focused on cybersecurity at Bellevue University, this is something I've been involved in for quite some time now, and I'd like to share my insights on the future of agentic AI with you in this article. In today's cloud-native environments, containerization accelerates deployment but complicates security. Each container may spin up with its own permissions, APIs and ephemeral lifespans, creating a perfect storm for lateral movement and privilege escalation attacks if not managed properly. Traditional IAM approaches involving static rules, manual approvals and periodic reviews are no longer sufficient. We need intelligent, real-time systems that adapt as containers launch, communicate and terminate. Unlike traditional AI models trained to recognize patterns within constrained datasets, agentic AI introduces the notion of context-aware autonomy. These agents operate within defined parameters but can make real-time decisions based on behavioral analysis, risk signals and continuous policy evaluation. Imagine a container running a machine learning job suddenly initiating outbound API calls to services outside its scope. An agentic AI engine can detect this behavior, cross-reference it with learned norms and automatically isolate the container—all without human intervention. Integrating agentic AI into a container security model enhances IAM at three critical layers: 1. Behavioral Access Intelligence: Agentic AI models learn normal patterns of access across containers, users and services. Deviations such as privilege creep or suspicious privilege elevation trigger adaptive response actions. 2. Autonomous Policy Enforcement: Instead of relying on static rules, agentic AI refines policies dynamically. For example, if a container suddenly accesses identity stores or credential vaults, the system can quarantine access and prompt step-up authentication. 3. Audit and Explainability: One often overlooked benefit of agentic systems is their ability to explain decisions. This is essential for IAM teams navigating compliance, audit trails and zero-trust initiatives. For security leaders, this isn't just about adopting another AI capability; it's about rethinking access governance in AI-native ecosystems. Agentic AI doesn't replace IAM teams; it empowers them with visibility, agility and control. However, implementation requires careful consideration. During my time in the industry, I've learned that guardrails must be clearly defined to avoid decision-making drift. Governance structures should include review cycles, simulation environments and risk tolerance thresholds. When done right, agentic AI acts not as a rogue decision-maker, but as a trusted security co-pilot. In a world where digital identities are increasingly interwoven with AI operations, agentic AI offers a path forward: secure, autonomous and intelligent IAM that can scale with innovation, agility and resilience. As enterprise infrastructures become more dynamic and AI systems gain greater autonomy, the need for adaptive security frameworks becomes not just important, but essential. Agentic AI can enable us to move beyond static controls and embrace a responsive, risk-aware model of identity governance. As someone deeply engaged in cybersecurity leadership and AI strategy, I believe this approach will define the next generation of intelligent, context-aware access governance will serve as a foundation for trust in tomorrow's cloud-native and AI-driven digital ecosystems. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
MangoBoost and AIC Sign MoU to Explore Collaboration on DPU-Based Server and Storage Solutions
BELLEVUE, Wash., May 30, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MangoBoost, a provider of cutting-edge system solutions for maximizing compute efficiency and scalability, and AIC Inc., a global leader in enterprise server and storage solutions, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore potential collaboration in developing and promoting advanced computing technologies. The MoU sets the framework for both companies to engage in discussions focused on integrating MangoBoost's cutting-edge Data Processing Unit (DPU) technologies with AIC's server and storage expertise and market access. The collaboration aims to unlock new possibilities in next-generation data center solutions through joint exploration and innovation. "This MoU marks a meaningful step toward our mission to deliver more intelligent, efficient, and scalable computing platforms to the market," said Jangwoo Kim, CEO of MangoBoost. "We look forward to working closely with AIC to explore new opportunities and innovative applications for our DPU technologies in the enterprise space." David Huang, VP of Sales and Marketing at AIC stated, "Partnering with MangoBoost allows us to push the boundaries of what's possible in server and storage innovation. We believe our combined strengths can pave the way for high-performance solutions that meet evolving market demands." About MangoBoost MangoBoost is a provider of cutting-edge, full-stack system solutions for maximizing compute efficiency and scalability. At the heart of the solutions is the MangoBoost Data Processing Unit (DPU), which ensures full compatibility with general-purpose GPUs, accelerators, and storage devices, enabling cost-efficient, standardized AI infrastructure. Founded in 2022 on a decade of research, MangoBoost is rapidly expanding its operations in the U.S., Canada, and Korea. About AIC AIC Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of high-performance server and storage solutions. With nearly 30 years of expertise, AIC is renowned for its high-density storage servers, storage server barebones, and AI storage solutions. The company operates globally, with offices in the United States, Asia, and Europe, and is committed to driving innovation across various industries. View source version on Contacts Minwoo SonStrategy & Operations
Geek Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Geek Wire
Acumatica CEO on the secret sauce behind company's growth — and its next chapter with Vista
Acumatica CEO John Case. (Acumatica Photo) Make the software easy to use. Find key partners to drive sales. Lean on a community of users to help improve your product. Those are some of the ingredients fueling growth at Acumatica, the Bellevue, Wash.-based enterprise software giant that will be acquired by Vista Equity Partners in a deal announced Thursday. Founded in 2008, the company has grown steadily since it was acquired by EQT Partners in 2019. EQT generated a 5X multiple on its invested capital, according to Bloomberg, which reported that the new deal with Vista values Acumatica at about $2 billion. Acumatica specializes in enterprise resource planning, or ERP. Its software is used for accounting, inventory tracking, supply chain operations, and more. The company targets mid-market customers — businesses with 25-to-1,000 employees — across an array of industries. 'Tens of thousands of companies fit that description and they're hunting for new digital technology to run their business,' said Acumatica CEO John Case. The ongoing AI boom is a tailwind for Acumatica, which has introduced a range of automation capabilities to help speed up data extraction, demand forecasting, business workflows, and more. 'The mid-market customer, they don't have big AI teams,' Case said. 'They're looking to buy systems and run on systems that are going to benefit from that technology in a very pragmatic way.' Acumatica has carved market share in a competitive sector that includes Microsoft, Oracle, and other ERP vendors — but it differentiates by focusing specifically on mid-market. Case, who joined as CEO in 2022, pointed to three aspects of the company's business that has helped drive growth. Platform architecture: Since its inception, the company built software with easy integration capabilities and configuration, Case said. 'We do all this extra work to make the platform incredibly functional for the average customer,' he said. Since its inception, the company built software with easy integration capabilities and configuration, Case said. 'We do all this extra work to make the platform incredibly functional for the average customer,' he said. Go-to-market model: Acumatica works with hundreds of partners in a reseller network that help with implementation and in-person service. 'That channel is incredibly hard to build and replicate,' Case said. Acumatica works with hundreds of partners in a reseller network that help with implementation and in-person service. 'That channel is incredibly hard to build and replicate,' Case said. Community engagement: The company has more than 30,000 active members in its community that vote on potential new features. 'They want us to build the product that they want to use,' Case said. 'That is a really helpful virtuous cycle that helps shape our future — and insulate us from some of the challenges other businesses might have.' Case said Acumatica talked to a number of private equity firms over the past several months. 'Vista was most convicted about our business model and how we go to market,' he said, adding: 'This is a growth story. They're wanting to fuel and accelerate that growth.' The company plans to boost headcount and reach about 750 employees globally this quarter. About 10% of its workforce is based in the Pacific Northwest. Acumatica moved its headquarters to the Seattle region from the Washington, D.C., area in 2012. It opened a new HQ in Bellevue last year. Vista, an Austin, Texas-based firm with more than $100 billion in assets, recently acquired Bellevue-based enterprise software company Smartsheet in an $8.4 billion deal with Blackstone. Vista also acquired other Seattle-area tech companies including IT cost analysis software firm Apptio in 2019 (Apptio sold to IBM in 2023) and tax software giant Avalara in 2022.
Bloomberg
4 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Buyout Firm Vista Nears $2 Billion Deal for Software Maker Acumatica
Vista Equity Partners is in advanced talks to acquire Acumatica Inc., a software company that helps businesses streamline workflow, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Vista is in discussions with Acumatica's owner, EQT AB, about a transaction that could value the Bellevue, Washington-based firm at $2 billion including debt, said the people.
