Terry Segawa and Kiyoto Kondo, whom I met at the Grand Sushi and Sake Dinner event at National Geographic Society Museum, are both long-time Japanese restauranteurs in Washington DC. Mr. Kondo is now a charman of the board of the National Sushi Society Washington DC chapter.
Thirteen years ago the National Sushi Society, an organization in Japan, began sending sushi chefs to conduct special event dinners in conjunction with the Cherry Blossom Week Festival celebrated in Washington DC. Having no proper kitchen at the event venues, not much professional equipment and kitchen support, the sushi chefs from Japan sought assistance from the local Japanese restaurant community. Mr. Segawa, Mr. Kondo and other Japanese restaurant owners and sushi chefs graciously extended their help. Their generosity was much appreciated and Mr. Segawa and Mr. Kondo were soon granted the right to establish a Washington DC chapter of the National Sushi Society. Now the Washington DC chapter organizes and hosts a Sushi Technique Contest in America. Furthermore, and as a prize the organization sends the winners to Japan! If you are seriously pursuing your sushi carrier, visit www.nationalsushisociety.com and apply to enter the contest!
On your next visit to Washington DC, you will find many interesting and excellent Japanese restaurants to sample. Try Tako Grill in Bethesda (it is not a “grill” restaurant, but is a charming and casual local favorite with a sushi bar), Simply Ayzen (Asian & sushi bar restaurant), Sushi Taro (chef and owner Nobu Yamasaki’s new creation) and the long-established and well regarded Makoto in the Georgetown area.