The Chef & the Daruma

For 36 years, Tojo's has been a cornerstone of Vancouver's culinary scene, cherished by critics, food enthusiasts, and numerous celebrities. Chef Hidekazu Tojo, a trailblazer of Japanese cuisine in the West, played a pivotal role in popularizing sushi and is credited with inventing the California Roll. Now in his seventies and still active in the kitchen, Chef Tojo reflects on his life and contemplates the legacy he will leave behind. He reminisces about his early days as a Japanese immigrant who arrived in Canada at 21, driven by the ambition to carve out a unique culinary path. The film also follows Chef Tojo on a return visit to Japan, where he reconnects with locals and explores emerging food trends.