by Shiro Kashiba
Photographs by Ann Norton
 
Finalist in the 2012 Washington State Book Awards.
 
A spirited memoir, mouthwatering recipes and insider tips from Seattle's godfather of sushi. One man's journey from classically trained sushi chef on the Ginza to culinary pioneer in the Pacific Northwest.
 
Shiro Kashiba's remarkable journey begins in the backroom of a Ginza sushi shop and continues today in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood, where the classically trained chef serves locally sourced sushi. Shiro recounts his early days apprenticing in Tokyo, where he worked grueling hours with no salary, washed dishes and slept in the back of the prestigious Yoshino restaurant. He recounts his decision to come to America, his efforts to create Seattle's first full-service sushi bar, and his subsequent romance with the Pacific Northwest's rich trove of seafood, vegetables and fruit.
"To get a sense of what it must have been like to watch Picasso at work, grab a seat at the sushi bar at Shiro's and watch chef/owner Shiro Kashiba." --USA Today
 
Seattle-based photographer Ann Norton contributes mouthwatering photos of Kashiba's cuisine and portraits of the chef at work. All of her photos were taken with natural light.