Celebrity chef opening first Colorado restaurant in Vail

Celebrity chef Makoto Okuwa is adding Colorado to his lengthy culinary profile.

Okuwa, who has made several appearances on the Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” with his mentor Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, is opening his first Colorado restaurant, Makoto Vail, at the Grand Hyatt Vail for the upcoming 2023-24 ski season.

“Chef Makoto was looking for a place outside of his traditional locations, and the mountain setting was very unique,” said Kevin Shields, the hotel’s general manager. “We happened to throw our name out there, and told him we were looking for a signature chef.”

Okuwa, who learned to make sushi in Japan at the age of 15, began his culinary career in the United States 20 years ago, working for Sushi Taro, a former Michelin-star restaurant in Washington, D.C. Now, he owns several acclaimed restaurants around the world, like Love, Makoto, a food hall in D.C., Makoto in Miami and Panama.

Vail is one of several cities in Colorado — including Denver, Boulder, Aspen and Beaver Creek — that are now eligible for Michelin stars, but Shields said that Colorado’s addition to Michelin’s roster was not Okuwa’s prime motivation for expanding to the state.

Okuwa’s cuisine focuses on Edomae-style sushi, which traces its roots back 200 years to Tokyo. Edomae means “in front of Edo,” the old name for Tokyo, and fresh fish caught from Tokyo Bay became known as Edomae sushi. It’s nigiri sushi that’s often cured or cooked for preservation, since the fish was often served the same day to local workers.

Makoto Vail will feature Okuwa’s Edomae-style nigiri, like his other Makoto spots, and Okuwa will be on-site as often as he can, according to Shields.

“This is going to be an established full-time restaurant,” Shields said. “The build-out is absolutely beautiful with private dining areas at the front of the restaurant that overlook Gore Creek, and the views of the mountain down and up the creek are incredible. People will really feel like they’re infused in nature as they enjoy chef Makoto’s dishes.”