Beloved sushi chef remembered for bringing a taste of Tokyo to Halifax

A legend in Halifax's food scene died last week.

Shigeru Fukuyama, fondly known as Chef Shige, owned and operated Sushi Shige with his wife and business partner, Aya Otara, since 2002. The pair opened the business at a time when Japanese restaurants were few and far between in Halifax.

"He was, like, a chef for over almost 50 years," Otara told CBC's Information Morning.

Fukuyama trained as a sushi chef in Tokyo where he was a member of the Japan Sushi Association, Sancho-kai.

Fukuyama worked with one of the world's greatest sushi chefs, Jiro Ono, who was made famous in the 2011 documentary, Jiro Dreams of Sushi.

Fukuyama lived in Toronto from 1993 to 1999, which is where he and Otara met, before moving to Halifax.

They made Halifax their permanent home because they felt the people were kind and peaceful.

Information Morning - NS6:54The Halifax food scene loses a legendary sushi chef

In 2002, Shigeru Fukuyama and his wife Aya Otara opened their restaurant in Halifax. Sushi Shige brought an authentic Japanese culinary experience to the city's North End. This week, the restaurant announced that Chef Shige had died. We hear about his legacy.

Operating the business for more than two decades ago meant they developed close relationships with their customers.

Otara said Fukuyama was happiest eating good food or when he saw customers smiling or thanking him for the food.

Although the restaurant closed for a few days after Fukuyama's death, it has since reopened.

Otara said that's what Fukuyama would have wanted.

"I'm trying to keep his legacy [alive]. That's the most important [thing]," she said.

Otara wants to ensure Sushi Shige continues to feed its customers despite the loss of its famed chef.

"I still don't think about [how] he's not here. I feel he's here watching us," Otara said through tears.