Growing up, my family went to Benihana for pretty much every special occasion. Like most people I know, this restaurant really is such an intergral part of my childhood memories. And, if you’re anything like me, you’ve always wished you could get behind the teppanyaki grill and be the chef.
Well, I’m about to make all your childhood dreams come true by telling you about the “Be the Chef” program at Benihana.
For just $200, you can get trained to get behind the teppanyaki grill and cook dinner for you and 3 friends. You’ll start with a one-on-one training session and learn everything you’ll need to know. They will teach you how to make the entire meal and let you in on a few of the iconic Benihana tricks. The meal includes: The Benihana soup, Benihana salad, shrimp appetizer, teppanyaki vegetables, Splash ‘N Meadow entrees, homemade dipping sauces and Japanese hot green tea.
Oh, and if you haven’t already guessed, I did the experience at the new location in downtown Chicago at the base of the John Hancock Center!
This incredible bucket list memory was made even more special because I got to work with the Executive Chef, Tony Nemoto who has been with the company for over 35 years. To say I was in the presence of an icon is truly an understatement.
Usually, I’m someone who likes to step right in, take over and show off my skills. In this case, I really humbled myself because it was so important for me to step back and learn the art of Teppanyaki from a legend. I mean, this type of thing doesn’t happen every day!
After spending about 30 minutes studying Chef Tony’s skills and learning about the art of using a teppanyaki grill, it was my turn to get going. The coolest part was, I really got to do it all on my own.
I did everything from making the fried rice heart…
to the onion volcano…
with the choo choo train..
and even learned how to cook the steak and shrimp! We really did it all!
This honestly was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had and a memory I will never forget. Just look at my finished product!
You can get more information about the program here. It would also make an amazing birthday gift and you can buy a gift card for it too! I couldn’t recommend it more! I’m also SO excited we finally have a Benihana in downtown Chicago so that my little girl can have all the same fun food memories that I had growing up 🙂
I put together a little video of my time there so you could check out my skills!
What do you think? Would you let me cook for you?! 🙂
Love always,
Erica
This post was sponsored by Benihana but all opinions are my own.
OMG this looks so much fun!!! It has always been a bucketlist item to be a benihana chef!!!