Benihana Restaurants in Metro Atlanta and across the country want you to “Be the Chef”, an experience that could be one of the most unique gifts of the holiday season.
I know it’s cliche’, but what do you get that person on your list that seems to have everything?
If you’ve ever been amazed by the show, and enjoyed the delicious food at a Benihana Restaurant, you or a loved one can don the famous Benihana chef jacket and hat and “Be the Chef.”
Benihana is known for it’s flair for doing something different, so here is your chance to be a real Teppanyaki Chef and learn the tricks of the trade, right here at any of the Benihana Restaurant locations in the Metro Atlanta area. This is a holiday gift that makes a statement, puts smiles on faces and tastes pretty good too.
Go through “Be the Chef” training, learn the art of Teppanyaki from a master chef, perfect Benihana’s world famous tricks while having all of Benihana’s resources and technology at your disposal and right on your own chef’s cart. Impress your family and friends as you learn a valuable skill as you cook for them. You will learn how to make Benihana’s signature fried rice, all while you and your party indulge on soup, Benihana salad, shrimp appetizer, hibachi vegetables and entrees along with homemade dipping sauces and hot green tea. Packages start at $200 for a group of four. There are a ton of “experiences” offered as holiday gifts, but this may be the most delicious.
I accepted Benihana’s challenge to go through the training and it’s fun, challenging and rewarding at the same time.
This isn’t just some one-off class where you follow a manual or a paint-by-numbers brochure. I was under the guidance of 37-year, Master Teppanyaki Chef, Benihana’s Chef Wakiyama, and after watching him do it once, I found myself on the Hibachi grill.
Chef Wakiyama put me through the paces, all with a smile on his face and encouragement when I needed it most. “Be the Chef’ will teach you more than the basics of the Hibachi grill and prepare you to cook a meal for your dinner party, right at your local Benihana.
“Just watch and I’ll make sure you have the basics,” explained Chef Wakiyama.
As a regular patron of Japanese steakhouses, the first thing I learned as I was behind the Hibachi, is there are special Benihana tricks. There is a reason why the fried rice looks and tastes perfect. There is a way to cook the vegetables so that they compliment your protein or sushi. The chefs at Benihana have been doing this for a longtime and I’m positive that the knowledge they passed to me in my training session was just the tip of the iceberg. Basically you are the chef and run your Hibachi and table for your attendees.
“Be the Chef” participants receive a chef’s hat and apron, emblazoned with the Benihana logo, as well as a diploma/certificate upon completion of their training and meal. Packages start at just $200 for a guest chef and three guests. For larger parties, add additional guests for just $50 each or purchase a package for a guest chef and seven guests for just $360 and chefs must be 18 years of age.
This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will make your friends jealous. A few pictures posted to my Facebook account from my training garnered multiple comments and inquiries asking “how do I get to go that?”
I was brimming with a new found confidence to cook following my training and taking command of the Hibachi grill. So much so, that I volunteered my Teppanyaki talents to the restaurant manager on my way out.
“Don’t call us, we’ll call you,” he replied with a big smile on his face.
Heck, I was smiling too!
Your Metro Atlanta Benihana Restaurants are:
Benihana (Alpharetta)
2365 Mansell Rd, Alpharetta, GA 30022
Benihana Be the Chef
Graduation
Chef Wakiyama
What a Chef!
