Kaz Matsune was born with a love for cooking. His passion led him to be a diligent student and a skilled sushi chef at restaurants such as Minako (San Francisco's first organic, Japanese restaurant), Ozumo, and the famed Fort Mason restaurant, Greens.
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Today, Kaz teaches corporate teams and sushi lovers of all stripes his craft with Breakthrough Sushi - the first and only sustainable team building sushi company in the US.
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Over the course of his 18-year professional culinary career, Kaz has served top celebrities and some of the Bay Area's top companies, including Google, Facebook, Oracle, Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Verizon Wireless, and Citibank. He has taught over 10,000 sushi lovers and even held lessons at the Culinary Institute of America at Copia.
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Kaz has also appeared in videos for Grammarly and Survey Monkey, as well as ad campaigns for Adobe and Eventbrite. His writing is featured on Quora, The Huffington Post, Slate, Apple News, and he has published three books on sushi. The most recent book, How I Became a Sushi Chef, is a memoir of his culinary journey.
Culinary Storytelling with Mindfulness
Kaz Matsune is more than a sushi chef—he is a storyteller, educator, and guide who brings mindfulness and intention into the art of food. Through his engaging talks and interactive demonstrations, Kaz shares how culinary traditions, particularly sushi-making, can inspire mindfulness, creativity, and opposite thinking. His speaking engagements go beyond food; they offer a transformative experience that blends storytelling, cultural wisdom, and personal growth.
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Speaking Topics
Thinking Opposite in Cooking & Life
In this thought-provoking session, Kaz Matsune shares the lessons he’s learned from teaching sushi classes and running a successful business for over 12 years. From challenging conventional wisdom to redefining success, Kaz encourages participants to reconsider assumptions in both the kitchen and life. The concept of thinking opposite explores how small shifts in perspective can lead to profound change.
Breaking the Myth of Sushi & Life
This session debunks common misconceptions about sushi—like the idea that sushi is just raw fish or sushi originated in Japan. Kaz goes beyond the myths of food to challenge the conventional thinking we apply to all areas of life. What if we approached life like sushi—focusing on intention, simplicity, and craftsmanship? Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of not only sushi but also how they can apply these myth-busting lessons to break through their own barriers and live more purposefully.
Culinary Storytelling & Mindfulness
From hosting a client's 50th birthday celebration to teaching sushi-making at a Bar Mitzvah for a boy who attended the same class three times, Kaz explores how food shapes our stories, deepens connections, and enhances joy in life. Through culinary experiences, Kaz shows how mindful cooking can create lasting memories and bring balance and meaning to every moment.
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Team Building: Keynote and Sushi Making
An engaging session that blends leadership insights with hands-on sushi-making, teaching lessons on teamwork, adaptability, and mindfulness. By connecting through storytelling and culinary collaboration, participants will strengthen their bonds and develop skills that promote better communication and creativity.
What to Expect from Kaz’s Talks
Engaging & Thought-Provoking
A mix of storytelling, hands-on demonstration, and insightful discussions.
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A Unique Perspective
Kaz bridges culinary expertise with mindfulness, opposite thinking, and personal growth.
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Interactive & Memorable
Can include sushi-making demonstrations and audience participation.
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Versatile for Any Audience
Perfect for corporate events, wellness retreats, leadership summits, educational seminars, and food conferences.
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Book Kaz Matsune for Your Next Event
For speaking inquiries, please contact to learn more about bringing Kaz’s unique culinary storytelling experience to your audience.