At 16, while her peers were fresh out of high school, chef Aeron Choo embarked on a path less travelled. Armed with a fervent passion for the culinary arts, she went on a pilgrimage to Japan and doggedly knocked on the doors of various restaurants that could offer her a place in their kitchens.
The rhythmic clatter of dishes marked the ingénue’s start in the restaurant world — as a dishwasher. Choo's career trajectory from the dishwashing station was fuelled by a thirst for knowledge. She would go on to spend the next six years working under the tutelage of master chefs in restaurants such as Kashiwaya Osaka Senriyama and Kikunoi Honten (Kyoto), where she honed her skills in the ancient art of sushi-making, sashimi preparation, and the delicate intricacies of kaiseki cuisine. Today, the vivacious 29-year-old runs Kappou, a 20-seat kappo-style omakase restaurant in Raffles Place, which opened in March.
As a female chef navigating a male-dominated profession, Choo faced innumerable challenges. In Japan, the workplace facilities didn't cater to women — there were no lockers, toilets, and dormitories for females. Moreover, women were strictly prohibited from standing behind the sushi counters, which were considered sacred and off-limits due to antiquated beliefs related to menstrual cycles. This meant that she was relegated to the back end of the kitchen.
この記事は The PEAK Singapore の December 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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この記事は The PEAK Singapore の December 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
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