Reading on a mobile? Click here to watch the video My frequent family trips to Japan while growing up ultimately led to my fascination and admiration for the art of making sushi. After college, I saw BBC's Planet Earth, and immediately thought it would be great if someone made a movie like that about the world's best sushi chef. I have always felt that sushi is the most visually creative food, and a sushi chef the ultimate showman. So I embarked on a tour of Tokyo's greatest sushi restaurants with renowned critic Masuhiro Yamamoto and discovered the famed restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro. Once I had met Chef Jiro and eaten the most delicious sushi of my life, I knew that this man would be the subject of my film. In addition to the amazing sushi, I was intrigued by the fact that not only is he still working at 85 years old, but his sons still work for him. The son of an alcoholic father who was on his own since the age of 10, Jiro has dedicated his life to mastering his craft and providing an environment where his sons can thrive.

It's a very difficult business, and to build the clientele to allow you to provide the quality that Jiro does is not so easy. I'll point to what Jiro mentions in the film, which is that 95% of the preparation happens in the kitchen before he even gets there. chinese food delivery in hendonThat's an amazing testament to what a great teacher he is. play full youda sushi chef onlineHis sons have picked all of that up, and the quality of Jiro will always be there with them.where to buy unagi sydney In a difficult business where fish supply is dwindling and the cost of ingredients is rising, Jiro has gained recognition and a loyal following by mastering the art of making sushi in its purest form. sushi grade fish manchester nh

I had the opportunity to taste Jiro's sushi while shooting the documentary, and the experience was flawless. What sets Jiro's sushi apart from the rest? The big difference is the rice. In my opinion, a lot of sushi restaurants outside Japan – even the high-end ones – overlook the rice. how to make yo sushi chicken teriyakiJiro's is a little more vinegary than we might be used to and served at body temperature. youda sushi chef game playIt is cooked at very high pressure, which allows it to be fluffy; youda sushi chef online freebut at the same time, each grain retains its shape. So when you eat it, you get this wonderful blend of fish and rice. Jiro has mastered it. It ends up tasting like something completely new.

To make Jiro Dreams of Sushi, I spent eight weeks in Tokyo over the course of two years, gathering footage and delving headfirst into Jiro's world. The editor and my long-time friend, Brandon Driscoll-Luttringer, worked closely with me to bring out this man's story, looking to illustrate how his work ethic had shaped his character and that of his sons. Although it is very much about the sushi, this film is not simply a foodie documentary. It's the story of a man who has devoted his life to mastering a craft. Jiro's refusal to quit reminds me of my grandparents, who still rise at 5am every morning to write. This is why they are still so sharp. Like Jiro, they never stop improving. This act of propelling oneself forward and never looking back is one of the main themes of the film. I hope you enjoy watching my documentary, Jiro Dreams of Sushi. I'll be back on Monday 14 January to answer your questions, so please post them below!I have been re-watching the documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi for the past couple of months.

I've seen it at least 10 times, probably more, while writing drafts for this article. I've watched it alone, with my wife, with friends, and I don't tire of it; I've recommended it to everyone I know, and now I'm wholeheartedly recommending it to you. I have watched this film in fascination, trying to extract lessons from this master. His colleagues, his country, and at least one very knowledgeable food writer recognize him as perhaps the greatest sushi chef alive.What lessons have I learned from him?"Once you decide on your occupation," says Jiro, "you must immerse yourself in your work. That's the secret of success and is the key to being regarded honorably."he is a blissful craftsman who truly enjoys his work, which keeps him vital in his old age.However, it's crucial to note that he doesn't say "find work that you love," as if suggesting one goes on some romantic quest in search for the perfect job, but rather he tells us to love the work we have chosen.This means to consciously and voluntarily cultivate love, much like we do in a marriage.

Jiro's path to joyful work requires a lifetime of devotion. This brings to mind a more common conception of work some of us have: We tend to categorize jobs as being either "passion work" or "work just for the money." Then we tell ourselves that passion work is a pipe dream and we must endure a lifetime of mindless toil until the day we retire and begin to enjoy life.What would happen, I wonder, if we consciously and purposefully loved the jobs we feel condemned to do "just for the money"? Could this perhaps completely revolutionize our relationship with work, increase our quality of life, and diminish our hunger for retirement?Sushi is by definition a minimalist food, and Jiro has taken this simplicity to another level, not only in his sushi-making technique, but also in the composition of his menu. Unlike other restaurants of its kind, Jiro's does not serve appetizers. This allows the staff to focus on preparing top-quality sushi and serving each client the best possible way, noticing little details like how much they eat or if they are right- or left-handed.

Jiro's eldest son, Yoshikazu, who is a sushi chef in his own right but still works with his father as the heir apparent, says that at the restaurant they try to repeat the same thing every day. What's left implied is that mastery results from this constant repetition.This focus goes beyond the confines of work: Jiro repeats the same routine every day, down to standing on the same spot to take the train. It seems to me that Jiro increases his creativity by going deep, rather than wide—start with an automatic daily routine, pursue a narrow focus at work, and within that narrow focus, the combination of talent and hard work open up a universe for creative exploration.This reminds me of that mad genius William Blake, who wrote in "Auguries of Innocence":To see a world in a grain of sand And eternity in an hour.With happiness like that, who needs vacations?If we stick for a moment with the "passion work" scenario I mentioned earlier, I notice that some people tend to assume that doing work you love is free of difficulties and that everything will be well in your life if you just switch careers.

In my case, pursuing studies in the humanities and striking out on my own instead of finding a place in academia meant I have to work longer hours and make less money compared with people working in established organizations and with perhaps fewer years of education.I have made peace with that fact because I am doing work that I love, but the trade-off is evident. Today I aim to increase my income to a more comfortable level by cultivating focus and honing my skills, but it's a steep climb. I know this may seem to contradict a little bit what I said earlier about loving the work you've chosen, but I guess what I'm trying to say is that loving your work can at times be difficult, but if you persevere you will find yourself rewarded for it.In the case of Jiro, the demands of his job kept him away from his family while his children were growing up. Jiro himself had to endure being slapped or kicked during his learning years, but he didn't quit. He's had apprentices, however, who only lasted a day in his kitchen.

The point of this, to me, is that the kind of bliss Jiro finds in his daily work can't be achieved through quick solutions and four-hour workweeks. Dream jobs don't simply work their magic because you find them; they do because you marry them for life and they reward you for your efforts as years go by.I am not suggesting, of course, that citizens of 21st-century Western democracies with different cultural prejudices put up with unfair or unsafe work conditions, but Jiro's tale is a reminder that love and sacrifice can reward us in transcendental ways that cannot be reduced to quick formulas for easy success. His path may not be for everyone, but I believe it's at least worthy of examination. Lessons from a master | GetRichSlowlyMaximiliano "El Nerdo" Nérdez has been, at various times, scientist, dishwasher, professor, circus performer, politician, farmer, door-to-door canvasser, and fugitive from justice. He currently makes a living as a freelance artist and small business owner.