Chef Masaharu Morimoto is back in Mumbai to serve some delectable Japanese food

Cooking is the most performative of arts Visual motion and sonic exhibitions blend together with flavour and smell to set it apart from any other form style or experience The best chefs understand this None better than Masaharu Morimoto chef and owner of Morimoto Restaurants and best known as Iron Chef MorimotoChef Morimoto during a sessionSince he switched to the kitchen after an injury hampered his fledgling baseball career Morimoto has been at the forefront of taking Japanese culinary styles and cooking to the global stage In 2004 he set up Wasabi by Morimoto at The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel Colaba to introduce the city to the intricacies of Japanese cuisineNow 19 years since the founding of the restaurant and five years since his last visit he returns to Mumbai on Saturday with a presentation that highlights his repertoire of Japanese cuisine A part of the event will be an exclusive omakase menu curated by Morimoto for the evening Omakase refers to the practice of patrons leaving the choice of the menu up to the chefs In an exclusive chat before the homecoming the chef spoke with midday about Wasabi the journey and the future of the restaurantGrilled lamb chop with gochujang sauceExcerpts from the email interviewWelcome back to Mumbai after a span of five years What is the prominent change you notice in the patronrsquos palate preferences since your past visit What research do you and your team undertake to ensure this change makes its way in the menuMasaharu Morimoto Itrsquos so good to be back in Mumbai after five years Irsquove noticed quite a few changes in the guestsrsquo palate preferences such as the heightened appreciation for fusion cuisine and bold flavours Irsquove also noticed that guests are much more curious about the story behind the food and where it comes from My team and I always find it very important to ensure we are in touch with the current global and culinary trends so that our menus stay updated with what guests are looking for Mumbai has a diverse palate and has always been a city that appreciates finer flavours and texturesSashimi moriawase from Morimoto NapaNow 19 years old Wasabi has become part of Mumbairsquos culinary expansion How do you view that journey in hindsight How did the city warm up to the cuisine all those years agoMM Nineteen years ago the people of Mumbai werenrsquot very familiar with Japanese cuisine so I put my best effort into introducing the city to the artistry of Japanese dishes and my guests enjoyed it Our guests at Wasabi always appreciate our food because it is made with care and respect for all the ingredients Since Mumbairsquos culinary scene has a wide range of flavours our cuisine at Wasabi was easily accepted It makes me so happy to see how the city accepted it and celebrated Japanrsquos unique and harmonious flavours especially with vegetarian dishes on the menuSushi moriawase from Morimoto NapaWhat is the next stage of evolution in Wasabirsquos journeyMM Wersquore always looking for new ways to expand at Wasabi and how our guests experience and consume each dish We are committed to continuously refining our culinary techniques sourcing the freshest ingredients while honouring the flavourful essence of Japan and mixing it with global influences As we explore the next stage we know to keep in mind the vibrant flavours of Mumbai Irsquom very involved in the operations of all my restaurants from menu creation to design so I have an active role in ensuring that all my restaurants keep up with current trends and what guests want to seeInteriors of Wasabi by MorimotoOmakase harks back to a tradition that evokes trust in the chefrsquos ability and style What is the secret to keeping that trust current in times of a welltravelled customerMM Maintaining trust in the tradition of Omakase especially with our welltravelled customers is one of our core culinary standards An Omakase experience is an adventure unlike any other In Japanese omakase means lsquoto entrustrsquo mdash you put your dining experience into the hands of the expert sushi chefs who create an unforgettable multicourse dining experience that features the freshest fish and various other specialty ingredients that are reserved for this truly unique meal The secret to keeping the trust is ensuring that we stay tuned to all the local and global culinary trends By doing this we promise an authentic and adaptable experience for all That to me is a very special experience and offers guests a oneofakind experience which I loveOn September 9 and 10 1230 pm onwardsAt Wasabi by Morimoto The Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai Apollo Bunder ColabaCall 266653202Cost Rs 20000 onwardsEntry By RSVP only