Hajime Sato Becomes First Sushi Chef to Win Regional James Beard Award.
On Monday, June 10, the winners of the 2024 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards were revealed at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Celebrated as the Oscars of the culinary world, these awards highlight excellence within the nation’s leading hospitality professionals. This year, Hajime Sato was honored with the Best Chef: Great Lakes award, a historic milestone as it marks the first occasion a sushi chef has received this regional accolade.
Sato’s restaurant, Sozai, situated in Clawson, Michigan, focuses on sustainable seafood and sushi. He has played a key role in promoting sustainability within the culinary scene since he began this important journey in 2009.
Not only is this win significant for sushi chefs, but it also represents the first victory for a Michigan chef in the Best Chef category in over two decades. Sato emphasized the importance of the James Beard awards in amplifying critical issues like sustainability: “I didn’t have a voice, but now, because of James Beard, I have a voice,” he stated while accepting the award (via YouTube).
Sozai in Clawson offers a remarkable omakase dining experience.
Hajime Sato envisions a simple yet meaningful impact through his restaurant: “Can I change one person’s life while serving sushi?” he posed during his speech at the 2024 James Beard Awards (via YouTube). Diners expecting typical California rolls or spicy tuna may be in for a surprise. Instead, Sozai presents an intimate omakase dining setting where guests savor the chef’s curated selections.
These meals, lasting several hours, encompass a variety of courses, with pricing options ranging from $90 to $170. Centered around sustainable seafood and diverse sushi styles, offerings may include sashimi or nigiri, alongside more innovative choices. There is also a vegetable and tofu-based omakase menu available, completely devoid of meat or seafood. The precise offerings change with each service, as Sato enjoys tailoring dishes according to diners’ experiences and reactions. It is recommended to pair the meals with suggested sakés — and Sato serves as a certified saké advisor.
Other notable winners of the 2024 James Beard Award showcase distinguished chefs and exceptional dining establishments celebrated for their culinary prowess.
Regarding national honors, Portland’s Langbaan was bestowed the title of 2024’s Outstanding Restaurant at the James Beard Awards, while Michael Rafidi of Albi in Washington, D.C., received the Outstanding Chef accolade. In New Orleans, Dakar NOLA was declared the Best New Restaurant, and Masako Morishita of Perry’s in Washington, D.C. earned the title of Emerging Chef.
Additional regional Best Chef awards were granted to a diverse and deserving group. Lord Maynard Llera of Kuya Lord in Los Angeles was recognized as Best Chef: California, while David Standridge claimed Best Chef: Northeast for the Shipwright’s Daughter in Mystic, Connecticut. Christina Nguyen received the Midwest award for Hai Hai in Minneapolis, and the Texas award went to Ana Liz Pulido of Ana Liz Taqueria in Mission.
Hajime Sato’s victory as a sushi restaurant was not the only “first” that evening, as Paul Smith became the first to win for a West Virginia restaurant, 1010 Bridge, in a major category.
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