Here are 25 former Uchi staff members running their own restaurants, kitchens

Matthew Odam, Austin American-Statesman
Tyson Cole said that the people are what has allowed Uchi to thrive for 20 years.
Tyson Cole said that the people are what has allowed Uchi to thrive for 20 years.

“Without them, I’d be nothing.”

I sat down with Tyson Cole recently to discuss the 20th anniversary of Uchi, the sushi restaurant that made the chef famous, and the quote above is what he had to say about his staff past and present.

He returned to his gratitude for their work ethic, imaginations and collaborative spirit several times throughout the hour-long conversation we had on the occasion of Uchi being named to the Austin360 Restaurant Hall of Fame. (Our other two 2023 entrants: Joe’s Bakery & Coffee and Magnolia Cafe.)

“That’s your legacy. I wasn’t as good as them in a lot of ways,” Cole told me. “The best part is vicariously watching the talent grow their careers. It makes you feel so proud.”

Austin360 Dining Guide: 3 iconic Austin restaurants join our 2023 Austin360 Restaurant Hall of Fame

Uchi has spawned more talent than arguably any restaurant in Austin’s history. Alumni have gone on to own their own restaurants and work in management positions in both front and back of house.

People around the Hai Hospitality office have half-jokingly referred to Uchi as "the house that hama chili built" because of the dish's popularity.
People around the Hai Hospitality office have half-jokingly referred to Uchi as "the house that hama chili built" because of the dish's popularity.

As Cole and I discussed a few of them, I started wondering how great the group was. After reaching out to a few alumni, I came up with the following list. I imagine there are more, and quite a few who are in between kitchens of their own. Cole is a Florida native who had never harbored thoughts of being a chef until he walked up an unmarked flight of stairs in downtown Austin in 1993. If Uchi’s talent really is his greatest legacy, he can be very proud.

The following is a list of alumni of Uchi and Uchiko who are currently operating their own restaurants or running kitchens:

  • Blake Aguillard (chef-owner, Saint-Germain in New Orleans)

  • Take Asazu (chef-owner, Uroko, Kome and Sa-Ten)

  • Damien Brockway (chef-owner, Distant Relatives)

  • Ben Cachila (partner, Old Thousand)

  • Val Cantu (chef-owner of Californios in San Francisco)

  • Thai Changthong (chef-partner, Thai Kun, and chef-owner, P Thai’s Kaho Man Gai)

  • Willet Feng (owner, Burgerchan in Houston)

  • John Gocong (chef-owner, Osome)

  • Masatomo “Masa” Hamaya (executive chef, O-Ku in Atlanta)

  • Justin Huffman (executive chef, Justine’s)

  • Zach Hunter (culinary director of Pedal Haus Brewery in Tempe)

  • Jeffrey Miller (chef-partner, Rosella Sushi in New York City)

  • Fermin Nunez (executive chef, Suerte and Este)

  • Yoshi Okai (executive chef, Otoko)

  • Susana Querejazu (chef-partner, Lutie’s)

  • Paul Qui (chef-partner FAM Hospitality Group, with restaurants in Austin, Houston, Denver and Miami)

  • June Rodil (partner, Goodnight Hospitality in Houston)

  • Masazumi Saio (chef-owner, Uroko)

  • Brett Shaw (executive chef, Liholiho Yacht Club in San Francisco)

  • Philip Speer (partner, Comedor)

  • Amanda Turner (chef de cuisine, Olamaie)

  • Moto Utsunomiya (partner, East Side King and Sa-Ten)

  • Niki Vongthong (executive chef of Hidden Omakase in Houston)

  • Nic Yanes (partner, Juniper and Uncle Nicky’s)

More 2023 Austin360 Dining Guide

The Best in Austin: Here are 20 of the best new restaurants in Austin

Definitional dishes: These 25 iconic dishes give a taste of Austin dining then and now

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 25 Uchi alumni that are running their own restaurants and kitchens

Advertisement