The meez Podcast Chef Masako Morishita on Shattering The Glass Ceiling For Immigrant Women Chefs
#49. In this week's episode, Josh Sharkey sits down with the incredible Chef, Masako Morishita, whose journey from Kobe, Japan, to the United States is nothing short of inspiring.
Masako's family owns Morshita Liquor Store, a renowned restaurant and bar in Kobe that has been serving customers for almost a century. Despite not speaking English, Masako found herself in Wisconsin before eventually settling in D.C. But her story doesn't stop there.
Before embarking on her culinary journey, Masako held the prestigious position of captain within the NFL cheerleading squad for the Washington Commanders. Following her passion for dance, she soon discovered a deep-seated love for the culinary arts, setting the stage for her remarkable career in cooking.
This year, Masako was nominated as a James Beard Award semi-finalist, following her win as Eater D.C. Chef of the year in 2023. She currently serves as Executive Chef at Perry's, where her dedication to showcasing authentic Japanese cuisine beyond sushi and tempura shines through.
During our conversation, we delve into Masako's mission of educating Americans about casual Japanese cuisine and the importance of supporting immigrant women in the hospitality industry. She shares her insights on the changes she hopes to see and highlights other inspiring women in the field.
Where to find Masako Morishita:
Where to find host Josh Sharkey:
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In this episode, we cover:
(02:50) Masako's Daikon dish at Indie Chefs
(06:52) How Masako considers herself to be a rebel
(12:07) What inspired Masako to become an NFL cheerleader
(13:48) Leadership lessons learned through being captain of an NFL cheerleading team
(15:43) How growing up with parents in the restaurant industry influenced Masako
(19:56) Things that Americans misunderstand about Japanese food
(25:30) How lack of experience and being a woman immigrant caused Masako to work harder to gain success
(27:27) How Masako hires her staff
(31:43) Being a woman in a male dominated industry
(37:28) What Masako sees for her future in the industry