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About Chef Rieko

My Story

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Having grown up in a single parent household, I learned to cook for my family from early on. That was how I embarked upon my epicurean journey. Fortunately, I was introduced to all things holistic from young age, including nutrient-rich foods, which subsequently helped me realize the importance of eating healthfully and its impact on the human body.  

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My first pregnancy was certainly a life-changing turning point that affirmed and defined my love of holistic lifestyle. I became even more mindful of consciously choosing the right "whole foods" and transforming them into health supportive cuisines, not only for my body but also for my baby.

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When we moved to America, I experienced a food culture shock. Much to my dismay, I have observed one too many mothers and children feeding themselves on the chemically treated, manufactured processed food diet.   

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Through my personal experience, my desire to raise awareness among a group of Japanese mothers around me grew stronger, so began my mission to promote health supportive food to a wider circle of people in the local community.

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For starters, I invited guest speakers/instructors who specialize in healthy organic food and other holistic lifestyles. At the same time, I began pursuing aromatherapy and holistic nutrition at IIN (Institute for Integrative Nutrition) in order to expand my knowledge and to share what I have learned. More recently, my dream of furthering my culinary curiosity came true when I became a certified holistic chef at NGI (Natural Gourmet Institute). 

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Currently, I host and facilitate cooking classes all across Japan as well as in New Jersey and New York City. Also, I provide catering services for all kinds of events. 

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I feel that it is my purpose of life to introduce wholesome, nutritious traditional Japanese foods to American people. Also, by effectively using my unique position as someone who is familiar with both food cultures, I believe that it is my mission to introduce state-of-the-art, plant-based New York style cuisine to the people in Japan.  

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Specialties

 

Digestive wellness

Food allergies & intolerance

Healthy cooking / meal planning

Diet and Detoxification

Elimination diets

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