Now Online: Tokyo’s Maestro of Fine Dining - Meet Natsuko Shoji One person challenging the status quo by taking a contemporary twist on the classic dining experience is the owner of restaurant été, Natsuko Shoji [@natsuko.ete]. Recognized for breaking boundaries in the culinary world, receiving both Asia’s best female chef in 2022 and Asia’s best pastry chef in 2020, Natsuko’s dishes are not only a pure delight to the mouth but also to the eye. Frequently collaborating with Tokyo-based artists including the likes of legend Takashi Murakami, graffitist Madsaki and now contemporary artist Verdy, she is fusing street culture with fine dining; an amalgamation we never knew we needed until now. Alongside the many aforementioned accolades she has won, in September last year, her dedication to the interdisciplinary fields of food and art paid off as she was selected among one of the 100 best chefs in the world and awarded with the Food art award in Madrid, Spain, elevating her to newer and higher levels. For the impressive reputation and name she has made for herself, Natsuko’s career has humble beginnings. Starting out as an apprentice to Florilege owner and chef Hiroyasu Kawate at just 19 years of age, Natsuko always strived to be the best. Being caught up in the everyday hustle and bustle, however, she came to the shocking revelation that her father had suddenly passed away without her noticing. This occurrence was a pivotal point in her career, allowing her to realize she needed to change lanes in order to spend more time with her family and loved ones. Taking a much-needed hiatus from the kitchen and gaining back the motivation to continue her culinary career from her peers, she opened her first reservation-only exclusive restaurant in the middle of Aoyama at just 23. From her early sou chef days, opening up her first restaurant to collaborations with renowned artists, she opens up to Sabukaru for an exclusive interview. [Full Interview in our Link in Bio] cover by @ifucktokyo