From the Star Sushi Master’s tourist guide, this 55-year-old-old japanese woman took over the renovation of her dead husband’s restaurant without cooking. Portrait of the head of the Michelline’s guide to love.
11 is when you push the sushi shani door, a whole light stick that fits at the foot of Montrod. In this pocket sushi, clean lines are designed as Origami, Chizuko Kimura welcomes us with a contagious smile. Clothing in a black cross-jacket to change his foolish kimonon – a chef bowed a little before us to the counter (Japanese kilo). His Frenchman still hesitates, the interview, therefore, will be in English (finally “Franglais”).
11:45 AM / Florent Michel
Who could have predicted that this former Tourist Guide to Kanagawa (45 minutes of Tokyo would become 55, the first woman in the special world of Michelle’s star for her sushi. “I have never cooked before. Never, “he repeats, shaking his head, half unbelievable in front of his trajectory.
The meeting that changed everything
History with Chesuko Chemura starts like a Parisian fairy tale. “I was a tourist guide. One day, a Japanese group went to France and decided to visit Paris. I met him from time to time.
“Her” is Kihei Kimura, which was placed in Paris, then forty years. Poody, Chuko Kimura admits that her future husband took the first step that evening. “He asked me:” After dinner, you can drink something. “I answered.
A pair of disease
For years, Chizuko continued his guideline’s career while her husband worked in various Japanese restaurants in the capital. But in 2020, the epidemic turned everything upside down. Here it is unemployed, and Diveri finally realizes his dream. Open his restaurant in Monttaptre, Ru Audra. He bears his name. “Sushi Khachei”.
Instagram / @sushishunei screenshot
What Cheexo does not immediately say is that the husband is already suffering from cancer at that time. “When my husband was good, I helped him. Learning is cruel without a network. Chezuko notices every gesture, each incision, making rice, working fish. “If he hadn’t been sick, I wouldn’t make progress so fast,” he said. Parisian in April.
The woman’s sequence
In March 2022, only nine months after the opening, Michelline’s guide awarded a star in a restaurant. Anointing for a dog. But happiness is short. Three months later, the cook comes out at the age of 65.
In his hospital bed, the dog promises his wife to continue the adventure. “This restaurant was his dream. He asked me to take it, “he recalls. Promise that it will keep it at all costs so that the restaurant is not broken on the day of her husband’s death.
The path, however, is not without flaws. Next year, Michelle went out to her star in Sushi Sungi. But Chezuko doesn’t give up. He strengthens his team, in particular, by collecting a traditional sushi figure, Tastich Moruka. He performs several courses in Japan and develops its culinary signature. “I was afraid because I had never made it. And then the restaurant has high-quality customers … All this worried, “he said.
Star guardian
11:45 AM / Florent Michel
His perseverance pays. In March last year, three years after the disappearance of Diverie, the Michelle’s guide again shows the star restaurant. Thus, Chesuko becomes the first woman in the world to stand out as a sushi head. To the question of what his first reaction is, Chezuko admits that he does not really care about this type of reward. Only it is released, restored by the lost star of Sronrey.
This traditionally male universe does not prevent that recognition causes a shock. In Japan, where sushi counters remain almost uncanny male rallies, the news goes on the media. Three weeks ago, a very famous Japanese TV show wanted to meet him. “We have made it directly. It was three hours of carpets because there is a plane lamp, “he smiles proudly in the native country where he is going to his older sister.
“Never give up”
Chezuko shows thoroughly, insured gestures behind the enemy. Every morning he arrives to prepare early, works for up to 2-15 hours, is nodded and then returns about 5 for PM service. He dedicates his whole life today to Sushi Khachei. “Sunday, I’m training. I use the cuts and all that. This is the real life of the sushi hall, “he explains. He still gives a little passion for his mind. Jogging. “I’m running once a week in Montmart. But only 4 km, “he said, silining with a smile.
What he doesn’t say is the independence he shows. He who lives in Montartre, just 200 meters from the restaurant, said that it was inspired by his late husband’s courage. “When he was sick when we lived 200 meters away from the restaurant, he took 10-15 minutes to a restaurant. He came every day. “My pride is the restaurant, continue to love it and not leave it,” he said.
Before leaving for Sushi Divke, Chezuko asks what message he will send to young women who, like him, dream of career in high cuisine. His gaze is light. “I would like to say that they can do their dream in the kitchen. Possible thanks to the effort. “Never give up“(” Never give up “).
Source: Le Figaro
