Requirements: A sushi chef needs to be talkative and pro-active, because chatting with customers is a major part of the job - besides making sushi. Basic knowledge of the Japanese culture and language is essential for a professional sushi chef.
Qualifications: If you are aiming to work for a high-end or traditional Japanese restaurant, you will have to undergo extensive training. Sushi chains, on the other hand, often hire newcomers to the industry and offer entry-level training, providing an easier way to start your career. Some secondary school education will likely be an advantage. Hong Kong does not have any sushi training schools. You will need to go to Japan for professional training of this kind.
Average pay: An apprentice should expect a starting salary of about HK$6,500 per month. Salaries are often adjusted and you can expect to be earning about HK$9,000 per month after three years. Sushi chefs with more than 10 years' experience often open a restaurant of their own or in partnership with investors.
Work prospects: Most sushi chefs start out as apprentices in a restaurant. The head chef will allocate duties to apprentices.
To become a successful sushi chef, the candidate must be sensitive, hygiene conscious, focused, hard-working, and willing to learn and take on all the various tasks involved in running a sushi bar. These tasks include cleaning - the very first duty of an apprentice when they start.
An apprentice who pays attention to details will be more likely to succeed.
The quality of a piece of sushi is based on the freshness of the fish and how well it is prepared, which is all about the chef's technique. Great sushi chefs prepare sushi with their heart and soul.