Shinichi Maeda, Head Chef, Saké Restaurant & Bar
Slow down and believe that everything will work out ...
Shinichi Maeda grew up in Hokkaido, before moving to Toyko at the age of 20 to complete his sushi apprenticeship and work as a chef. At 24, the clear skies and crisp waves of Australia’s shores were calling, and Shinichi made the move across continents and into the kitchen at Wasabi at Noosa. Every day was a blissful combination of surfing and fresh produce. Shinichi would get up early in the morning and head down to the beach for a surf, picking up fish for the day’s trade on the way back to Wasabi and prepping for lunch. After the midday run he’d catch another wave and finish the day with a busy dinner sitting. After seven years of the seaside lifestyle, Shinichi wanted a change – to work in a bigger restaurant with more people. Today you’ll find him running the kitchen at Brisbane’s Saké Restaurant & Bar, which has just been awarded the title of Best Japanese Restaurant in the Brisbane and Darling Downs region in the 2012 Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering HOSTPLUS Awards for Excellence. Since opening in December 2010, Saké has turned heads and caressed palates with its intricate flavours created by head chef Shinichi. While the life of a chef is a busy one, on his ‘weekends’ Shinichi likes to visit fishermen and farmers to meet the makers and see the produce up close, as well as sink a few lines himself. The Weekend Edition caught up with Shinichi to discover his weekend essentials.
How do you like to start your weekend?
Weekends in hospitality aren’t conventional in the least, as the restaurant is at its busiest over Saturday and Sunday, so I take Monday and Tuesday as my break. As such, I still manage early starts as the business is still going and I tend to have to take care of a few loose ends on the Monday so I can spend the rest of my time doing what relaxes me most … surfing!
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning?
Sleep in … first and foremost. Lunch with my wife is always a good start to a Saturday as, after a busy Friday service, my day normally only starts then. Then it’s time to focus and come into the restaurant to get ready for the big Saturday night service.
How do you like to unwind?
Surfing and getting some quiet time to myself.
What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
To eat well, catch up on some sleep and enjoy the sunshine and surf.
What’s something you’ve been meaning to do on the weekend but haven’t got around to yet?
To travel a little further than the surrounding beaches. To explore more of Australia and other neighbouring countries.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday evening?
Cooking on a Sunday is my favourite thing. I use the time to prepare for the week ahead as well as recover from the week that has just been … along with doing all my inventory and equipment checks.
What are you looking forward to next weekend?
I want to go to Yamba to surf and fish the days away.
What are you reading at the moment?
I don’t spend too much time reading. When I have time off I want to spend it outdoors doing exciting things. I have a few books I have been meaning to read and will get to them someday.
What inspires you?
Travelling around Australia and internationally always inspires me, both in the kitchen and my life generally. Life is all about new experiences, people, seasons, cultures and natural wonders.
What was your childhood dream?
My first dream as told to my mum at the age of five was to be a pilot after a family friend gave me an oversized kid’s jumpsuit … I thought I was so cool because I looked like a pilot.
What has been your greatest achievement?
Being a chef can be a demanding career that can consume you. I have been able to find balance between working hard and taking the time to look after myself. It’s important to stop and smell the roses and appreciate life and that means looking after my family, colleagues and friends.
What is success to you?
Being healthy and happy and somewhat prosperous, while being respected and giving respect.
What are your words of wisdom?
Slow down and believe that everything will work out.
Only a local would know … it is always possible to find a wave to surf.
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … at the beach
Relax … on the couch
Dine … Taro’s Ramen and Cafe, Brisbane City
Indulge … Go for a massage at Refresh’n Go
Shop … Asian grocer
Catch-up … Wara Wara Izakaya, Brisbane City
Be inspired … in nature