Meet Kimi from China
What is your background?
I am originally from China and have been living in Helsinki, Finland. Being a food blogger, I have been cooking various cuisines my whole life. However, sushi is not something I have tackled before. So, it was time to learn how to make rolls and nigiri to expand my culinary skills.
Why MJCA?
What motivated you to enroll in our course?
I had always been interested in the art of sushi. I believe it possesses a depth that contrasts with its seemingly simple appearance. This fascination drew me in. Before starting my course, I had the idea of launching my own business—a convenience store-style shop with an eat-in area. My rough plan involved offering an omakase course a few times a week at the store.
Offering online courses, MJCA seemed like a great choice. To make my business idea a reality, I decided to enroll in the course while also developing the business plan.
Challenges Before Taking the Course
Before starting the course, I had one concern. Because of where I live, sourcing ingredients and tools seemed quite challenging. During the first consultation, the academy assured me that they would help me find alternative products suitable for making sushi. For example, I needed a proper knife for filleting salmon, which was hard to find in Finland. When I sought help from the academy, they provided some advice on which website to visit and what type of knife I could buy.
Working with MJCA
What are your key learnings from the course?
I can confidently say that I have successfully mastered nigiri sushi-making techniques. Creating something beautiful on a plate requires meticulous preparation of the ingredients. This involves correctly preparing the sushi rice, properly fileting the fish, and setting up an appropriate workstation. While making nigiri may seem like a quick process, I have learned that the key to creating great pieces lies in the preparation. I am thrilled to have developed my skills and to be able to make exceptional sushi.
How would you describe your experience of the live sessions with a master chef?
Before the course began, I expected that online mentoring sessions would be challenging. But my view changed after the first session. Before each live session, I recorded videos of myself practicing tasks that were provided in advance. Reviewing them with my mentor during my live session helped me clearly identify my mistakes, which was an eye-opening experience. My mentor was helpful; he instantly noticed my mistakes and bad habits and offered valuable guidance.
What Lies Ahead in the Future
Now that you have completed the Foundation course, what’s next?
The foundation course has helped me improve my underlying skills. I am pleased with the course results and its structure. This is why I have decided to proceed with the advanced course as planned.
What is your long-term goal?
I am committed to achieving my initial goal of offering an omakase sushi course in my own shop. To reach this objective, I will continue practicing to ensure that my skills improve consistently with the help of the academy.
Try It Yourself
Due to the location in the world, obtaining ingredients and tools can be challenging. We are here to help by providing alternatives or assisting in sourcing the necessary tools.
Enthusiastic students like Kimi, who aspire to build a culinary career, can benefit from live sessions with a master chef in our Sushi Masterclass -Foundation- Course. You can also contact us for a free consultation to address your questions and concerns.
For those interested in exploring an extensive range of Japanese dishes, our Grand Membership Plus plan is worth considering. The plan covers all current and most upcoming lessons, including the Sushi Masterclass and Sashimi Masterclass.
For more insights into the academy, be sure to check us out on YouTube and Instagram!
