Locals who call Destin their home have fresh and healthy Gulf seafood year-round to enjoy. That's one of the many perks of the coastal lifestyle. On the finer side of Destin's food scene, you can find Haruko Shi, the Founder and Chef of Sushi Haruko, a catering company. Destin has been her home for the last decade. She shares her talent and sushi expertise by catering private, corporate, and special events. Every meal she prepares is an experience that's aesthetically pleasing and takes advantage of fresh, local seafood packed with flavor.
Haruko is from Shanghai, where she grew up. Her first experience with sushi was at a nightclub called Sparkle, where a Japanese sushi chef first taught her the ins and outs of culinary art. She was captivated by its presentation and its show-stopping designs. After five years of nightclub life, she needed a new challenge.
From 2002 to 2007 Haruko's career as a sushi chef blossomed in Grand Cayman where she managed operations and profitability for sushi bars in several luxury hotels. She created exclusive sushi menus, mastering the art of sushi making.
A few years later, she moved to Sarasota, Florida where she fell in love with the beach and, within two years, decided to become an American citizen. She missed her life in the Cayman Islands and longed for the beauty of the tropics. The Emerald Coast's scenic view fits the bill and became her home a few years later. She continued to be a Sushi Chef at Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort, managed bars, made menus, and oversaw banquets. Her skills as a chef in the restaurant industry prepared her very well to set out on her own.
"People respected me and my work, and it took me many years to perfect my craft," Haruko said. "I knew I could do it better than where I was at the time, and that motivated me to start my own business."
In 2014 Sushi Haruko was established. Haruko first hosted an event with 35 people for a private party.
Today, she is an elite private sushi chef. She books parties for a miminum of 10 people and prepares a full sushi menu. She is perfect for corporate events, open houses, or a date night with your spouse. Sushi Haruko is unique because she believes in showing people exactly what they are eating and provides them with quality, hand-crafted, fresh sushi in the comfort of their own space.
Sushi is delicious, but it also has many health and wellness benefits. Most fish contain omega-3 fatty acids to help brain function, prevent chronic inflammation, and protect against heart disease. It is an excellent source of protein and minerals, and white rice provides carbs for added energy.
Chef Haruko provides the recipe for one of her highlighted specialties:
Spicy Tuna Sashimi
- Chop 1 pound of tuna into square chunks
- Marinate with lemon and fresh limes
- Add Spicy Sauce
- Add Sesame Oil
- Add Eel Sauce
- Add Chopped Jalapeño, Red, and Yellow Peppers
- Garnish with Fresh Ginger
Visit www.sushiharuko.com for your next private event in Destin.
