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Career Highlights
Awards & Recognition
★James Beard Foundation Award winner (1995)
★Multiple James Beard nominations in following years
★Japanese government honor for contribution to Japanese food acceptance globally (2024)
★Michelin stars: Matsuhisa Beverly Hills (2005), Nobu Las Vegas (2007), Nobu San Diego (2008)
★Ruth Reichl Three Stars from New York Times (1995)
★Listed in Zagat Survey
Notable Facts
→Co-founder of global Nobu restaurant and hotel empire with Robert De Niro (1994)
→Created iconic Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine style after experiences in Peru (1973-1976)
→Over 55 restaurants and 19 hotels across 5 continents as of 2025
→Signature dish black cod in miso became globally iconic and widely imitated
→Published multiple cookbooks and memoir
→Film appearances in Casino, Austin Powers Goldmember, Memoirs of a Geisha
→Instagram account @therealnobu with 443K followers
→Catered Golden Globe Awards ceremony in 2024 and 2025
→Travels 10 months per year overseeing global operations
→Net worth estimated at $220 million
→Pioneered 'omakase' style dining in Los Angeles in late 1980s
Employer References
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Award Cabinet
Michelin Standard
Published Author
Speaker Circuit
Startup FounderOnline Presence