Whether planning an event this fall and seeking out the most delicious sushi—from intricately prepared platters to full live-action chefs—or simply striving to procure some of the freshest fish in town for your next dinner party or family meal, look no further than Yooshi Sushi Catering and Hunt & Gather.
Farzad Youshei, the enterprising founder of both businesses, began his career managing a sushi bar in Encino that his restaurateur family took over and eventually parlayed it into his own successful catering and event business. For the past dozen years, Youshei has focused on Yooshi Sushi—a clever play on his own last name—with 25 percent of his business landing in Brentwood and on the westside.
Youshei, who lives in Tarzana with his wife and children, attributes the success of his catering business to an unwavering commitment to quality, consistency and an exceptional guest experience. “We focus on fresh, premium fish, highly trained chefs and personalized service that makes each event memorable,” he says. “Our dedication to professionalism and attention to detail has built strong relationships with clients and partners alike.”
Known for events that range from intimate soirees to large scale affairs—be it dinner parties, real estate open houses or bar mitzvahs and weddings—Yooshi Sushi can add theatrical flair with chefs slicing and searing the fish and making the rolls right in front of guests. Most of the fish is sourced from a combination of Japan, Baja California and top purveyors in the US—depending on the season and availability. “We focus on premium quality and consistency, so we work with trusted vendors who specialize in sourcing from the best waters worldwide,” says Youshei. On site, talented chefs will create beautiful specialty rolls, sashimi, nigiri and even live tempura, seared albacore and white tuna, all made from the freshest ingredients and complemented with crispy onions and other delicious garnishes. “These items consistently draw excitement and engagement from guests, while also showcasing the quality and artistry we’re known for,” he adds.
Youshei is also no stranger to full-scale extravaganzas and pulling off the unexpected or seemingly impossible. He recalls an annual wine festival at the Petersen Automotive Museum with 2,000 people and a VIP area where they filleted a whole tuna in front of guests. “Being able to pull that event off while making sure that everyone was fed and had a good time was one of the most challenging things we have ever done,” he says.
A similar scenario came into play when Youshei and his team did an event for a local school where they ordered food for 200 people and 750 attendees showed up. “We had a much larger turnout than expected, but we were able to pivot quickly and make sure everyone was taken care of, and it turned into a really memorable experience,” he says. “Events are unpredictable, and you never know what may go wrong but you have to be able to keep the faith, pull through and make it happen.”
Now, Youshei is expanding his culinary reach with Hunt & Gather, a concierge-like service that delivers fresh fish from top local markets—many of which are the same trusted sources that Youshei has garnered over the years from his sushi business—direct to doorsteps throughout LA. No more anticipation at the grocery store fish counter of what they will have that day, but rather a guaranteed order coming directly to your home on a specific day. “We offer a weekly dock-to-door fish delivery service to ensure customers get the freshest selections right to their homes,” he says.
The curated menu rotates weekly and is subject to the season and availability. According to Youshei, the most requested fish are whole or filleted salmon, bluefin tuna and branzino, followed closely by specialty items like hamachi and trout. “These tend to be staples for home chefs and clients who want restaurant-quality fish at home,” he explains. Orders are prepared and packaged to customers’ specifications, and the Hunt & Gather team will also offer recipes, suggested wine pairings, treats and more.
The two businesses also complement each other well: Yooshi Sushi Catering focuses on event experiences with live chef interaction and beautiful presentation, while Hunt & Gather provides top-quality fresh fish directly to customers for home use. “Together, they allow me to serve both event clients and individuals seeking premium fish with convenience and reliability,” Youshei explains.
Yooshi Sushi Catering; 818-481-1297; yooshisushi.com
Hunt & Gather; 323-653-6333; myhuntandgather.com
“We focus on fresh, premium fish, highly trained chefs and personalized service that makes each event memorable.”
“Our trusted vendors specialize in sourcing from the best waters worldwide.”