Makiko Sano
Makiko was born in Tokyo. Her father was passionate about respecting Japanese traditional classical culture so when she was seven she began to learn classical Japanese dance as well as how to conduct a tea ceremony. She performed on stage from eight to fourteen. At sixteen she went to high school in Colorado, USA, and studied at an accounting college in LA (her father's idea!). She met her future husband, the drummer in British band Jesus Jones, and later moved to London and had four children.
Makiko's Japanese friends began to ask her to cater for their parties and her business grew via word of mouth. She was also given a space in Selfridges to sell sushi and sashimi. This led to catering for wealthy private clients and even Buckingham Palace.
Makiko was asked by billionaire restauranteur Philip Kaye to become a business partner and their restaurant, Suzu, originally on Charlotte Street, serves Japanese tapas including sushi, sashimi, tempura as well as dishes that she devised herself. In 2008 she became the sole proprietor of the relocated Suzu restaurant in Hammersmith, where it is today.
She decided to offer sushi classes because people kept on asking how to make it. She began by teaching children at after-school clubs locally in Hammersmith and Fulham. Then in April 2011 Groupon asked her to advertise sushi lessons on their website. Within 24 hours she had sold 6,000 lessons and when they advertised again a further 3,000 people signed up. The lessons have been featured in the Daily Mail as well as local newspapers and websites. She has just taken on a new chef from Japan to allow her more time to develop the business and focus on writing her first book.
Makiko has already appeared in a number of articles including Hello! magazine. In February 2011, she organised a fundraiser after the Japanese earthquake as some of her family and close friends were affected.
Makiko's first book Sushi Slim will be published in 2012. She continues to innovate and experiment with her recipes introducing more vegetarian and vegan food, unusual ingredients and healthy options.