Hayato Okamitsu Named Executive Chef of Catch Restaurant & Oyster Bar

Motivation can come from anywhere for a Chef, local culture, geographic location, indigenous ingredients and even Japanese television. Well at least that’s how Executive Chef Hayato Okamitsu sees it.

After studying Western, Japanese and Chinese cuisine at Musashimo Professional Culinary School in Japan, Hayato began his career at the Tokyo Hilton Hotel studying under Executive Chef Beat Burgi for five years. On a rare evening off, Hayato sat in a café and was drawn to an episode of the famous Japanese cooking show “Iron Chef”. Canadian Chef Michael Noble was doing “battle” with Japanese Iron Chef Morimoto; the secret ingredient, “Potato”. The hour long battle was well fought, but saw Noble suffer defeat to Morimoto.

This was just the encouragement Hayato needed, he took a leap of faith that few of us would even dare. In 1999 Hayato boarded a plane from Japan to Vancouver in search of the television celebrity Chef Noble. He arrived unannounced and with not a bit of English language skills won over Noble and began his Canadian dream as a cook at Diva on the Met.

In 2002, Noble chose a team to follow him to his next venture; a seafood restaurant in Calgary, Alberta. A bold endeavor to say the least, a 5.6 million dollar, 3 floor seafood restaurant in land locked Cowtown; but Calgarians welcomed the opening Catch Restaurant & Oyster Bar.

En Route Magazine voted Catch “Best New Restaurant in Canada” in 2002 where Hayato began as the night saucier in the Oyster Bar and was promoted in less than a year to Oyster Bar Restaurant Chef. He worked hard, honing his culinary skills, practicing the fine art of the English language, but most of all he watched and learned how to lead a team.

Hayato created Japanese influence dishes such as “Wonton Crusted Tempura Prawns with Togaroshi dip” which quickly became a Catch signature dish and still is the most popular appetizer after six years on the menu. A second recipe; “Chika Teriyaki Cod” is also very close to Hayato’s heart. “Chika” is Hayato’s mother’s name and her special recipe for teriyaki sauce is featured in this dish which acts as a tribute to her memory.

Exciting changes happened in 2005. Chef Noble took on a new endeavor and replacing him was Chef Brad Horen, leader of Culinary Team Alberta. In this transition Hayato was promoted to the second floor as Dining Room Restaurant Chef. This was the perfect recipe for success as Hayato received the final piece of training necessary for a Chef, the infamous duty of paperwork! The year was also one of personal achievement for Hayato who followed another path of devotion and married Catch Pastry Cook Allison Bonney.

The dreams of a young Japanese Chef were quickly becoming a reality for Hayato in Calgary. After six years of unstinting dedication to Catch Restaurant & Oyster Bar, Hayato was named Executive Chef this month. A standing ovation from his team mates, calls of congratulations and flowers are arriving daily. Hayato’s devotion to Catch is well known to the local community and industry friends.

Executive Chef Hayato Okamitsu is extremely proud to present his new menu on the second floor of Catch. A five course team inspired chefs tasting menu paired with wine awaits your palate. Hayato looks to inspire the next batch of young Chefs, just as he was inspired by Chef Noble, a next generation of culinary greatness would certainly be a proud moment in the story book of Catch Restaurant & Oyster Bar.

About Catch Restaurant & Oyster Bar

Established in 2001 in the historic Imperial Bank of Canada on Stephen Avenue Walk in Calgary, Catch spans two floors, each housing a very distinctive dining experience. The Oyster Bar Restaurant located on the first floor is a high-energy San Francisco style eatery featuring the freshest Oysters, flown in daily. The elegant four-star Catch Dining Room located on the second floor offers a new level of fine dining in the heart of lively Calgary. Catch Restaurant & Oyster Bar is a proud Winner of a Wine Spectator Award.
www.catchrestaurant.ca

Media Contacts: