2026 Chefs

Kaz Sushi Bistro

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Saturday, May 9, 2026 at the Grand Tasting Reception

In 1999, Chef Kaz Okochi opened the doors to what turned out to be one of Washington, DC’s most coveted seats and exceptional Japanese dining experiences, KAZ Sushi Bistro. This April marks KAZ Sushi Bistro’s 20th anniversary milestone. This modern Japanese restaurant is Chef Kaz’s window into creativity, where he pushes boundaries, and creates some of the most authentic yet groundbreaking Japanese dishes ever imagined. Always on the “cutting edge,” Chef Kaz works with Japanese, Western, and other international flavors to create what he calls “freestyle Japanese cuisine” — original presentations, often with a modern twist.

KAZ Sushi Bistro has won numerous awards include 2000 RAMMY New Restaurant of the Year Finalist, 2006 & 2012 RAMMY Chef of the Year Finalist, 2006 RAMMY Informal Dining Restaurant of the Year, Washingtonian Magazine Best 100.

Many Washingtonians know Chef Kaz as the innovative Japanese chef who broke down barriers decades ago by being the first Chef in the nation’s capital to be trained in the art of preparing and serving fugu (or blowfish). He was also the first chef to introduce premium sake to the city and educating guests on the important parameters of the spirit such as its gravity (levels of sugar), acidity (which determines its sweetness or dryness), rice varietal, yeast strain (which determines the fragrance and flavor), and diverse grades (junmai, honjozo, ginjo and daiginjo).