orientalorlando
168064
6352
110
First, I would like to apologize for the quality of some of these pictures. It all started 5 years ago today when I got hired to work for some high end sushi restaurant. I started as the prep guy, working 60-70 hr shifts.
It was hard to teach me anything because I'm a lefty. So I just watched the head chef religiously and mirrored his every move. I began to get the hang of things.
The head chef saw potential in me, so after about 3 months of practicing my rolling, he let me open and finally roll for customers in the morning when it was slow.
We had some big reservation, I think it was for some wedding, and he put me in charge of making the frushi. Not bad for being the first time I ever heard of such thing.
I started fruit carving to improve my knife skills.
Which improved my rolling skills.
Avocado and salmon sashimi.
From time to time he'd ask me to come up with brunch appetizers or rolls. Usually bc he had bigger fish to fry, not bc of my skill :(
Another frushi creation
I even started my own catering gig, but that was short lived. Everyone wants it for free :/
I'd make it free for my friends though :)
Special orders were always fun to do
And once I was good enough, I quit. They never gave me a raise or any benefits..I had all that at my new job and lots of freetime to practice on my knife skills.
Dragon maki (bad quality)
Derp pickachu I made lol
Practice makes perfect!
For Day of the Dead!
Shenron FTW!
I tried to make Heimlich from A Bug's Life out of memory...Don't do drugs kids.
After I looked that beautiful sucker up!
When I was bored at work
Worked for another restaurant part time bc the chef that was able to teach me sashimi asked for my help. Best sushi chef that I have ever met. Ambidextrous.
And who could say no to making this?
TheButcherBird
If you can do something well, never do it for free.
Zat01chi
First roll in 3 months? Good thing you did not have to wash rice for 3 years before anything. Props
orientalorlando
Just because of the high demand of working downtown lol otherwise yes
Spiralhaze
Orientalorlando dreams of sushi
Throwatwong
fantastic work, OP! proof that hard work pays off, even when you're practically slaving away in the beginning. it works out in the end!
HotRodShelby
Thanks Op... Now I'm hungry...
gotchasucka
LiamBoyd
Savage
NOM33
Perfect
aditsu
I like them apples :)
iThog
That flounder is fabulous!
bourbonlife
Are those shun knives? I've picked up butchery recently and just got some modest victorinox knives, but those look like a dream.
orientalorlando
Yessir, but they're made with carbon steel, so they rust if you don't care for them properly. Reaaal sharp though
Moonset
You worked 60-70 hour shifts?!? That is a long ass time to be handling a knife without sleep. Props man.
orientalorlando
A week! Lol sorry guys
Rielen
Still ridiculously long.
tbonez92
Nice!!! I started when I was 17. Now I'm 23, keep going man!!! It's a way of life!
docmcstuffandjunk
You're a beautiful butterfly @OP
DerDieDas
You reminded me of that poor dude who spent years just making that egg-ish cake in "Jiro dreams of sushi". Nice job OP!
BOBNOBODY
I like picture #11, you have bananas and a bottle of Jack Daniels for scale!
Kerrisimo
iateanentirecakeonce
I say this to myself everytime I pie down some pizza
SleepKnapRest
Boootfu butterfly
trundlewheel
I read that in his voice - crazy how that kinda stuff sticks with you even after 15 years or so without hearing it
beardofzeus420
ditto
mustua
Same here. That was a fun movie.
mizmoose
Those apples are amazing! I would gladly pay you heaps of money to make this all for me. Must include bananana dolphins!
orientalorlando
When can i start? Haha
mizmoose
If you're username is valid, you are at the south end of the US. I am at the top. I am sad.
orientalorlando
I'm midwest, its my middle name
mizmoose
oOoooooooOOO
stoopidhead
@OP, tell us which knives you are using!
orientalorlando
My shun knife was for lefty and my miyabi was the first one I bought
sleepawaytheday
As a chef currently feeling lost in life, it's stories like this that rekindles the passion. Keep at it friend.
orientalorlando
I've been there. There was literally blood, sweat, and tears to get there man. Stay positive
exponentiallymusical
Am I the only one concerned with that handheld blowtorch and how close you hold it to your own body parts?
JupitersWitch
It's just blue flame. You can run your hand over it and it's not hot.
exponentiallymusical
MustangLover2
I agree. So many people like things for free, yet they won't give you anything. Roger that!
AccountCreatedToUpvoteDogs
I'm a software engineer. Several times someone "with an idea" and no tech skills wanted to go "50/50 to make an app". Sounds like 95/5 to me
MustangLover2
Yup! Been there done that... I always say; please show me a guaranteed contract of sales and I'll start. LOL Crickets....
AccountCreatedToUpvoteDogs
Yeah but even if they pulled that contract up, if your 'friends' are like mine they'd still think the idea itself is worth 50% of the profit
AccountCreatedToUpvoteDogs
I usually just say that "I'm not interested in a side job, good luck finding a developer though!" ... Also crickets.
MustangLover2
That works too.
ComfortablyNumbDK
Are you honestly saying that you worked up to 3 consecutive days straight without sleep? On a regular basis? I find that hard to believe.
ComfortablyNumbDK
Still, +1
orientalorlando
I meant a week, come oon man lol
ComfortablyNumbDK
Well, on imgur you never know ;) But fair enough, it does make a lot more sense and it is still crazy long!
Avucado
Just think. Whoever marries this dude gets free sushi for life. On an completely unrelated note. Op single?
orientalorlando
Haha sorry, I'm actually getting married, but I have moar sushi chef friends!
GodzillaHarddiskson
@avucado getting married means not married. Hurry!
Avucado
You know what? you're absolutely right! I'm on it. ;) free sushi for you at our wedding!
GodzillaHarddiskson
Hey, I'm expecting sushi at a weekly basis! Every friday seems fair!
orientalorlando
Find YOUR paintbrush and practice! I use to think I sucked at everything artsy lol
SamuraiChemist
There are many paths to finding "the way". All are equally valid.
SarcasticComment
you make me realize just how much I suck at rolling. Oh wells, it's still delicious while looking like shit.
Zokathra
But MY paintbrush is a flamethrower.
GemsAreOutrageousTrulyTrulyTrulyOutrageous
I don't know about that, but I've always liked sketching... I was decent at it, in my own mind. I should've continued it since HS...
orientalorlando
It's never too late
GemsAreOutrageousTrulyTrulyTrulyOutrageous
[deleted]
[deleted]
brickweed
Press it more when putting it on the nori sheet & make sushi-su (google a recipe for this) 2 mix with the rice afta cooking 2 make it sticky
brickweed
2/2 enough starch in it. Main thing though is to press it enough with your fingers when u put it on the norisheets, otherwise its too loose
brickweed
And use the right kind of rice, sushi rice is key but porridge rice works if you wanna go cheap, just don't use normal long-grain, not >>1/2
ForSomeAbstractReason
I use a bit of rice vinegar on the blade if it gets too bad
SarcasticComment
my trick is a wet blade, also, make sure to slice on a diagonal to make sure you aren't applying too much downward force smashing your roll
HeartOfKyber
^This
[deleted]
[deleted]
chardlz
Taking fewer bars beforehand
DEFCONwhite
Buy jasmine rice
TheBugL
Wet your knife between cuts on a damp cloth. It keeps it clean and rice won't stick to it.
BillyIsBest
Proper rice preparation usually fixes that.
orientalorlando
Use a medium grain rice, must mix it with vinegar after you cook it, and press it tight enough with the bamboo mat, but not too tight
SarcasticComment
do you have a trick to perfecting a roll, I'm either too loose, or my ingredients pop out the ends due to being too tight
tahorg
Buy the right kind of rice. Prepare it following the instruction. It's not as easy as it seems
cmdprompts
I see your Northside. Where are you working now? I want some awesome sushi!
coachingnote
Out of curiosity what knife did you use to practice your carving skills; cause I'm imagining you using a chefs knife which seems impractical
orientalorlando
At first I did, and after getting knicked a couple times, I bought a pairing knife. You get even better results with a pen knife
ohnosky
I don't really understand why being lefty is bad? Is it impractical while using a knife? Or is it just a rule for sushi chef?
orientalorlando
Japanese sushi knives are made to made be precise. They're hand made and are made to balance on your right hand. I could either (1/2)
orientalorlando
2/2 not make the greatest cuts or buy a lefty knive for twice the price. I started with a rightie with a small bevel on the knife
ohnosky
Thanks for the explanation! The whole post was interesting too, today I learned a lot.
MichaelCerawillnotprovail
i NEED to know that you're now in a much better paying job and happy.. i NEED TO KNOW!!
Thirstraffe
WE need to know
orientalorlando
I started at $8.50, I went on to make $20. Got fired bc friend was stealing sushi, they blamed me. Now I'm making $13 :/ Don't hire friends
orientalorlando
I'm actually thinking of retiring from sushi guys :(
comfortableshoes
No, Don't do it!! Unless you just need a break. I've worked at a high end sushi places before, and your skills are seriously exceptional.
orientalorlando
Thank you, but the thing is restaurants are long hours and no benefits. My knees are wrecked and I'm in my 20s
comfortableshoes
Ok I understand. There is no way around the horrible hours. It's 12 hour days, no weekends, no holidays. So yeah, if you have had it 1
comfortableshoes
With that schedule then it probably is time for a change. But clearly you work hard and care about your work, and that will get you far!
comfortableshoes
You have worked to achieve real skill and talent, and it seems like you love to create. Maybe it time to move and start your own place?
orientalorlando
I enjoy just cooking, don't necessarily have to do it for money
orientalorlando
No money and restaurants are 50/50 chance of making it
comfortableshoes
True. I've been in the industry for a long time, and know the odds are tough, but if you own it, and it makes it, you can do really well. 1
comfortableshoes
It's usually all about ability and location. Are you in Orlando? (User name seems like it) if so You'd need to move, but you have the skill!
orientalorlando
No it's my middle name lol chicago
gotchasucka
I'd give my left arm to be ambidextrous.
dogspaws
Deadpool is subpar at best.
TheRealRickSanchez
I bet you like spiderman you fag.
MsFunnyBunny
Jigokushueki
Tijthatisall
I'm ambidextrous with the exception of weiting. Still working on that.
rbudrick
Writing with my left hand isn't that hard if I use a marker. Easily pushed instead of pulled or doing that lefty claw thing.
ChineseTakeAway
FernandoRumdebum
I used to be, then paralyzed my left arm, now I had to relearn how to use it again, it's bizarre
desmondrail
http://imgur.com/r/highqualitygifs/fPhOFbN
MechaNinja
http://imgur.com/NHTVF2t
CherylCarolCherleneTunt
Practice makes perfect
SerialChillinSpree
ROFL, this is funny! But, why?
CheetoPringles
amphibious*
BlackInkOutlaw
DH11
holy shit.
SwisssSwisss
Great response
notabrainlet
You don't have to. You can train it. An old anatomy and physiology prof challenged us to brush our teeth with our non-dominant hand for 1/?
notabrainlet
A month, after which brushing with my left or right didn't make a difference I was proficient with both. So moral of the story, if you 2/?
wtfIm
Interesting I'll give it a try
notabrainlet
Want to gain ambidexterity with a skill keep practicing eventuality you will gain it, you'll probably get some stray toothpaste on your face
mzamurman
I can attest to this being ambifapsterous
angelxaces
I was told by a teacher in the special Ed department that too much training to become ambidextrous can lead to neurological problems later
ImAShittyTransAm
IIRC that great movie "The King's Speech" had something about how that was related to stuttering.
UnpinionedPoplars
.... But you're already ON imgur...