Ep. 21: American Chef Jeff Larson Seeks Apprenticeship Under Sushi Master Oofuji
Aired on March 20, 1989

21
Jeff Larson, an American chef, visits Touzai Chief Tanimura to find work at a Japanese restaurant and improve his skills, bringing his own knife. Tanimura directs him to the West Coast restaurant, where the sushi chef prepares sashimi with showmanship. Jeff critiques the dish as below par, a view Yamaoka shares. Yamaoka challenges the chef to a chilled perch competition in a week. Yamaoka introduces Jeff to sushi bar chef Oofuji, who accepts him as an apprentice. Oofuji trains Jeff in proper knife usage by shaving daikon radish and teaches fish cutting secrets. A week later, Jeff wins the competition at West Coast but respectfully acknowledges the opposing chef's skills.
Episodes
- Ep. 17 · Tōjin Tōyama’s wedding prompts a culinary contest between his son and assistant
- Ep. 18 · Yamaoka seeks premium oysters via biker gang after criticizing their riding style
- Ep. 19 · Kurita and Yamaoka help Inspector Nakamatsu improve his love interest's ice cream business in Roppongi
- Ep. 20 · Nobuko Mayama visits Touzai to discuss her restrictive marriage and limited diet.
- Ep. 21 · American Chef Jeff Larson Seeks Apprenticeship Under Sushi Master Oofuji
- Ep. 22 · Mantaro visits Okaboshi restaurant where chef Ryouzou overcomes smoking to regain his position.
- Ep. 23 · Touzai News guests visit Ueno sukiyaki restaurant after mix-up with owner
- Ep. 24 · Kurita seeks help to resolve a ramen restaurant dispute between twin sisters' husbands.
- Ep. 25 · Kurita and Yamaoka explore poultry farming to improve her grandmother's dining experience