Our Renowned Chef
Chef Winston Matsuuchi
With over 20 years of professional experience, Chef Winston Matsuuchi’s journey in the culinary world began at birth. His parents were pioneers in Las Vegas, opening the city’s first Japanese grocery store, which later expanded into a takeout restaurant and sushi bar. Growing up in this environment, Winston developed a deep love for food and knew from an early age that becoming a chef was his destiny.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Japanese cuisine in Las Vegas was still rare, and Chef Winston had the privilege of
apprenticing under some of Japan’s finest chefs. These early experiences solidified his foundation in authentic Japanese cooking. He became the head chef of Hikari Japanese Steak House, where he worked from 2002 to 2009, before taking a brief hiatus from the industry.
In 2013, he joined the team at Osaka Japanese Bistro, the first Japanese restaurant in Las Vegas, continuing to hone his skills.Eager to expand his culinary horizons, Chef Winston ventured into European cuisine, primarily Spanish, at Mordeo Boutique Wine Bar in 2018. This shift allowed him to deepen his understanding of cross-cultural culinary techniques. He continued his career at prestigious venues, including the Westin in Lake Las Vegas and Kamu Ultra Karaoke at the Venetian Resort, where he crafted American and Japanese fusion dishes.In 2023, Winston partnered with his mentor Yasuo Komada to open Omakase Kyara Sake Bar, where he continues to push the boundaries of Japanese cuisine.
The restaurant quickly earned recognition, ranking in Yelp’s Top 50 Places to Eat in its first year. Winston was also invited to Unstripped, an exclusive showcase of the top 20 local chefs in Las Vegas.Chef Winston’s culinary philosophy revolves around hard work, passion, and uncompromising quality.
He believes that with the right team and dedication, anything is possible in the world of food and events. He takes pride in bridging the gap between Japanese and American cultures, which is beautifully embodied in Omakase Kyara’s renowned tuna-cutting ceremonies.Driven by a desire to inspire his children and uphold his family’s legacy, Chef Winston aspires to give back to the community. Before opening his restaurant, he was pursuing a degree in Social Work, with hopes of helping the homeless by providing them with job and life skills. He envisions using food as a form of therapy to heal and uplift those in need, reflecting his belief that both nourishment and knowledge are key to personal growth.