Author(s): Yoshihiro Imai; Naomi Reis (Translator); Emmy Reis (Translator); Yuka Yanazume (By (photographer)); Julia Hasting (Designed by)

Food & Drink | Asian | Japan

An evocative and personal chef monograph -- and an ode to wood-fired cooking -- from Japan's exciting emerging chef

monk is the story of Yoshihiro Imai's 14-seat, seasonally inspired restaurant, set on the cherry blossom-lined Philosopher's Path in Kyoto.

Through personal essays, reflections, recipes, and photography, Yoshihiro describes stories of the farmers, makers, and exceptional ingredients -- from foraged vegetables to herbs and flowers -- that inspire his omakase-style menu, explains why cooking with fire is central to the restaurant, and traces the evolution of the unpretentious, innovative, and flavorful pizza for which he is now renowned globally.

Review: 

"In Kyoto a slick chef is perfecting seasonal Japanese dining served up in the most unlikely way." - Conde Nast Traveller UK

"Recipes, essays and photos tell the story of Imai's 14-seat restaurant in Kyoto, and the omakase-style menu that's famous for including - among several Japanese courses - an unfussy, expertly fired personal pizza." - New York Times

"Chef Yoshihiro Imai welcomes connoisseurs of travel, dining and design into his restaurant in Kyoto, Japan." - New York Times, Holiday Gift Guide

"Celebrated, exquisite, and highly seasonal cooking." - Forbes

"Expect pizzas topped with mackerel and kamonasu aubergine (a round Japanese variety), plus the likes of kintoki carrot with sake kasu (a by-product of sake-making)." - National Geographic Traveller FOOD

"Here, [Yoshihiro Imai] gets very philosophical about cooking with wood fire, foraging, cooking seasonally, working with farmers, and more. All in the name of pizza." - Stained Page News

"The heart of this book is the story of the author ...The writing and photography offer a journey to a tree-lined path beside a waterway on the eastern side of Kyoto, where we sit with Imai and have a talk about food, philosophy, and life." - Harbor News

"monk is a refreshing reminder of the importance of finding and creating beauty in everything we do: our work, food and environment." - The Caterer

Author Biography: Yoshihiro Imai is the chef of monk, an omakase-style menu restaurant in Kyoto, which he opened in 2015. Yoshihiro developed his skills while working as head chef at Enboca, an elevated pizzeria with three locations in Japan. He has worked at many celebrated restaurants around the world, including noma in Denmark and Hartwood in Tulum, Mexico.