Taichi was born and raised in Kyoto until he moved to the Seattle area at the age of 16. After graduating from Seattle University, he had worked at the best Japanese restaurants in the city including Shiro’s where he learned the craft of sushi under Shiro Kashiba. He opened Chiso restaurant in 2001 and now owns and operates Sushi Kappo Tamura. He is a three times James Beard Award nominee and also a winner of the food network’s Beat Bobby Flay. He enjoys fly fishing and cooking for his family.