One of the most lauded chefs in Canada, Chef Masaki Saito is the only person in the country to hold two Michelin stars. He presides over Sushi Masaki Saito, where $780 reservations sell out months in advance. There, he crafts Japanese fare of the highest order — from melt-in-your-mouth toro hand rolls and green tea blancmange to succulent monkfish liver.
As befitting his status as the country’s only double-starred chef, he is always levelling up his game. “I feel happy when I create a dish based on an idea and the taste turns out exactly as I imagined. Lately, I’ve been really into aging large fish like amberjack, wild yellowtail, Spanish mackerel and bluefin tuna,” he says. “I often enjoy ‘talking’ with fish while working with them.”
Now, sushi fans will get to hear a little more from the chef: he’s the subject of “Still Single,” a new documentary that will have its world premiere at TIFF on Sept. 5, followed by a cross-Canada theatrical release in November. The film details how he went from rural Hokkaido lad to Toronto culinary star. “The feeling of being the main character is quite a strange sensation. It’s also surreal to watch myself … in a film,” he says. “What meant the most to me was the importance of human connections and mutual support. I was able to reaffirm once again how much support I receive from so many people.”
Now, listen in as he shares his go-to spots for the tastiest treats in town.
