Chef Masaharu Morimoto — known to millions as the star of Iron Chef and Iron Chef America and now executive producer and head judge for Roku’s Sushi Master — has garnered critical and popular acclaim for his seamless integration of Western and Japanese ingredients.  In 2001, Chef Morimoto opened his first restaurant in Philadelphia, which was later followed by restaurants in New York, Napa, Honolulu, Boca Raton, Mumbai, Mexico City, Tokyo, and Maui.  Morimoto Asia Orlando at Disney Springs opened in 2015, followed by Momosan NYC and Morimoto Las Vegas at MGM Grand in 2016.  Morimoto Asia Waikiki, Momosan Waikiki, and Morimoto Doha opened in 2018.  Next came Momosan Seattle (2019), Momosan Wynwood (2020), Morimoto Taghazout Bay (2021), Sa’Moto (2021), Momosan at Hub Hall in Boston (2021), Morimoto Asia Napa and Momosan Santana Row (2022), Morimoto Bordeaux, Morimoto Jakarta, and Morimoto by Sea aboard Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam (2023), and most recently Mori Mori by Morimoto, which is set to open later this year, bringing Chef Morimoto’s global restaurant count to 24. His first cookbook, Morimoto: The New Art of Japanese Cooking (2007), won two IACP awards (in the “Chef’s and Restaurants'' category and the “First Book: The Julia Child Award"), and it was nominated for a James Beard Foundation Award. His second cookbook, Mastering The Art of Japanese Cooking (2017), introduces readers to the healthy, flavorful, surprisingly simple dishes favored by Japanese home cooks.
“I am deeply honored to be appointed the Grand Marshal of this year's Japan Parade in New YorkCity” said Chef Morimoto.“This role gives me a unique opportunity to celebrate and share the rich, dynamic culture of Japan with the heart of one of the world's most vibrant cities.”