Getting ReadyThe Empty Pass

I arrive at The Office of Mr Moto and Chef Kenji is already in silence.

The room holds to one sound: water rinsing rice.

On the counter, fish from Japan, just in, the Mr Moto way.

Back of house turns, briefly, into a private room: a knife on a clean towel.

The pass still empty. The door not yet open. Hours before the first order, before the first pair of eyes.

A chef in apron working the line, B&W with a tilted frame.
1 / 21
Core Portrait photograph 2
2 / 21
Core Portrait photograph 3
3 / 21
Core Portrait photograph 4
4 / 21
Core Portrait photograph 5
5 / 21
Core Portrait photograph 6
6 / 21
Core Portrait photograph 7
7 / 21
Empty sushi counter with bar stools, lights on, before the first guest.
8 / 21
The Empty Room photograph 2
9 / 21
Handwritten Japanese prep notes laid on a steel counter.
10 / 21
Snapper fillets laid out on a tray, top-down composition.
11 / 21
Mise en Place photograph 2
12 / 21
Mise en Place spread 2 photograph 1
Mise en Place spread 2 photograph 2
13 / 21
Mise en Place photograph 4
14 / 21
Mise en Place photograph 5
15 / 21
Mise en Place spread 5 photograph 1
Mise en Place spread 5 photograph 2
16 / 21
Mise en Place photograph 7
17 / 21
Mise en Place spread 7 photograph 1
Mise en Place spread 7 photograph 2
18 / 21
Mise en Place photograph 9
19 / 21
Close-up of the chef thinking, a pen at his lips.
20 / 21
Personal Detail photograph 2
21 / 21