Masaki Watanabe | Sous Chef

A native of Tokyo, Japan, Masaki Watanabe brings to Benu over ten years of international experience. A graduate of Musashino College in Tokyo, Masaki began his culinary career at an innovative French restaurant in Tokyo, where he quickly embraced the art of service and intricacy of fine dining. Inspired by the elegance of French cuisine, Masaki then moved to France where he spent 3 years immersed in French culture and cuisine. His later travels led him to positions at esteemed restaurants around the world, including The French Laundry in the U.S. where he spent two years, the Beau Rivage Palace in Switzerland and most recently the Chimikepp Hotel in Hokkaido.