Southwest sizzle

First food memory: Eating egg noodles a long time ago in Japan. I had never tasted anything like that before.

First job: Professional wrestling is very popular in Japan, and when I was a kid I sold juice in the stands.

Why cooking: My mother worked and my father stayed home and cooked, but his food was very, very bad. So my sister and I had to cook—if we wanted good food.

Biggest indulgence: Drinking wine.

Cooking at home: I make a lot of noodles. Noodles are my soul food.

Favorite time in the restaurant: When we open the doors and guests come in. Once the doors open, we go with the flow.