East Side Sushi Page #4

How long have you worked

as a sushi chef?

Two years.

- Where did you get your training?

- Kamakura restaurant.

Ah.

Did you work anywhere else as a sushi chef?

- Sushi Go Go.

Uh-huh.

I learned how to wash dishes there.

Hey.

Who's Mrs. Yoshida talking to?

I think they're interviewing

for a sushi chef.

Mr. Yoshida,

I was hoping I could apply

for the open sushi chef position.

I can make everything on this menu,

and then some.

And I'm fast.

You are encouraging her.

I am not discouraging her.

I can prove it to you,

and if you don't like it,

you can send me back to the kitchen.

You were hired for the kitchen.

But I want to work out here.

No.

I know I'm a woman.

I cannot change that, nor would I want to,

but if you want me to look Japanese,

I don't know, I can wear a bandana

around my head and look more official.

You work in the kitchen. That's it.

Aki?

Didn't you say

you couldn't have done a better job?

Yes, I did.

So, were you lying?

Of course not.

I deserve to be out front.

Out here.

No! Customers come in

and they want authenticity.

I gave them authenticity,

but you want to give them an illusion!

The special, the bonito bonito,

that's mine, I invented that.

It's a crowd favorite.

The Japanese have a tradition,

and we respect that tradition.

This is not Japan.

Sure, you tell women that

their hands are too warm to prepare fish,

that their perfume will affect the taste.

Kyung, he smells like an ashtray.

You want to be a sushi chef?

Go try any other restaurant in town.

Go ahead!

I will even put in a good word for you.

We'll see who hires you.

Is that what you want? Huh?

What are you trying to be, Juana?

I'm trying to have an opportunity

like everyone else!

I deserve an opportunity,

like everyone else!

You know...

Behind every great restaurant here,

there are great Latinos,

in the back, in the kitchen,

hidden.

Prepping the food

and making you all look good.

Well,

I don't want to be in the back anymore.

To hell with it. I quit.

Juana's creation. The Mayan Sun Roll.

It's as good, if not better

than anything on this menu.

I don't believe it.

What did you say?

Something about Latinos being stuck

in the back.

Truthfully, I don't really remember.

I was upset.

I thought you were happy there?

I was.

Didn't you want me to work in a taqueria?

I want you to work where you're happy.

Abuelo, Mommy's home!

Hola, mija.

Tell her.

What's going on?

You got a certified letter.

Hmm.

It's from

the Champions Of Sushi competition.

"Dear J. Martinez.

"We had over 400 submissions this year,

"and would like to congratulate you

"on your acceptance to

"the Champions Of Sushi competition.

"Our competition will be held

at KTOP Studios

"and will be streamed live on the internet.

"Please e-mail or call to confirm."

Oh, God. That's in two weeks.

It's gonna be okay, mija.

You know what you need to do?

You need to get ready for the competition.

I don't know, Pa.

They're just gonna laugh at me.

It's gonna be embarrassing.

Hmm.

Well, we got some things to cheer you up.

They're good luck presents.

What is it?

It walks, look!

It's sushi on wheels.

That one is erasers,

and this one is soap.

Is that tamago?

Wow.

This is so cute.

Is that mama's scarf?

Keep it on you for good luck.

Your mother always brought me good luck.

What if I hadn't gotten in?

I knew you would.

It's beautiful, Pa.

Let me see those sushi with wheels again.

Osaka.

Juana?

Yeah, yeah, I'm doin' good.

Aki? Yeah, he's here.

Orale, pues, Juana, here he is.

Dang. Calm down, bro.

Konnichi-Juana!

Long time no hear. Are you coming back?

You what?

You got into what?

You're crazy.

Well, we should celebrate.

Uh, let's get together.

Mommy, I think he's your friend.

- He's Chinese.

- Shh.

He's Japanese.

Open the door, honey.

Come in.

Thank you.

And you must be Lydia.

Wait, you got something in your hair.

And what do you say, Lydia?

Thank you.

Come on over.

Oh, it's good to see you.

Apa, this is Aki.

Macho gusto.

Likewise.

My daughter tells me a lot about you.

Some good things, I hope.

No. But why don't you have a seat.

Thank you.

Juana, I have something for you.

With your permission.

Wow.

Carbon steel.

- This is your knife.

- It's yours now.

I can't.

Actually, I'm not giving it to you.

It's bad luck to give knives as a gift.

It would sever the friendship.

So you have to buy it from me.

And I will charge you a penny.

Honey, I need to borrow that.

Mama, that's mine!

I don't know what to say.

You just say arigato.

Okay, let's go eat. My treat.

Oh, what do you feel like eating?

Mexican, of course.

Of course, to your favorite restaurant.

Who said we were going to a restaurant?

What do you want?

Uh, tacos.

Chitterlings!

Carnitas? Carnitas?

- Carnitas is pork.

- Carnitas.

Definitely good.

- Cabeza?

- Cabeza? You will like it.

Cabeza. Cabeza. It's head!

I usually have here, like, fish tacos,

- and sometimes shrimp tacos.

- Fish tacos.

- Shrimp tacos. Sounds good to me.

- Frying fish.

Oh.

Try it.

Tuna, pero no es tuna de tuna.

- Tuna?

- It's tuna, like...

Hi, can I help you?

Hi, we are here for the taping.

Taping of...

Champions Of Sushi.

Uh...

Who's the contestant?

J. Martinez.

I'm sorry, what was his name?

It's my name. Juana.

There must have been a typo.

- Oh, you're the contestant?

- Yes.

Here is my acceptance letter.

Just one moment, please.

Mr. Whitman?

- Yes?

- The lady up front says

she's in a competition here.

Where are the rest of my judges?

I have her letter.

It says she was approved.

Who approved this?

The entries are all processed

in Sacramento, so I don't know.

Yes, yes. I remember now.

His... uh, well, her work was very good.

Just because someone can make

some sushi doesn't make her a sushi chef.

This is a serious

and respected competition.

It's not something that

any cook can get into.

Let her compete.

We don't need a lawsuit on our hands,

and maybe the other three contestants

will bring us a good show.

Okay, I'll let her know. Thank you.

Hi. Sorry for the delay.

Please step over here to the left,

and our coordinator

will show you backstage.

I'm not really Japanese, but neither

are you, so we're all good.

Let's get you into makeup. Follow me.

Get them in position.

I didn't know

we entered a baking competition.

Don't worry about them.

They're just threatened by you.

Okay, we're almost ready.

And we're down to 20 seconds.

Quickly, everyone, line

up this way, please.

Ten seconds. Everybody in position.

Cameras are up.

Hello! And welcome to Champions Of Sushi.

I'm your host, Jimmy Nishida.

Today we have four contestants

competing for $20,000,

and the distinction of Sushi Master.

The winner of this competition

will move on to the national championship.

And now let's welcome your sushi chefs.

And behind every great sushi chef

is their highly trained assistant.

We need camera A

a little closer, please.

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