Mike Lim is a seasoned sushi chef with over two decades of experience, known for his artistry, discipline, and deep respect for fresh ingredients—a passion rooted in his childhood in Busan, Korea. After honing his skills in top San Francisco establishments, Lim led the sushi programs at acclaimed restaurants across California and Texas, including the prestigious Morimoto in Napa. At Tobiuo Sushi & Bar, Lim’s leadership catapulted the restaurant to national acclaim, earning titles such as “Houston’s Best New Restaurant,” “Top 3 Sushi Restaurants in Houston,” and a coveted spot on Alison Cook’s “Top 100 Restaurants” list. In 2020, Lim realized his dream by opening Kanau Sushi in Midtown Houston, where his innovative dishes, inspired by art and architecture, continue to push the boundaries of modern Japanese cuisine.

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Dali Yu is a rising chef whose journey into the culinary world began with a dramatic career shift. After earning a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering and working in the field for three years, Dali left the corporate world to pursue his true passion: food. Dali co-founded Big Dumpling Energy, a pop-up concept that quickly gained popularity for its inventive pan-Asian fusion menu in partnership with Corvus & Co. Over the years, he’s worked at several of Seattle’s top restaurants and catering companies, learning to blend flavors, textures, and techniques into something distinctly his own. With each dish, Dali aims to honor his cultural roots while pushing the boundaries of what pan-Asian food can be, inviting guests to experience tradition through a modern, multicultural lens.

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With a background in tech and years of experience as an operations manager, Emi brings a precision-driven, systems-oriented mindset to the culinary world. Raised around her family’s multigenerational mochi factory, she developed a deep respect for craft, consistency, and tradition. Watching her grandparents hand-shape each piece of mochi with care and intention left a lasting impression—one that now informs her approach to building operational systems that honor heritage while embracing innovation. Whether streamlining processes or scaling production, she blends technical expertise with cultural roots to help teams work smarter, move faster, and stay grounded in what matters most: quality and community.​

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