Henry Moso of Kabooki Sushi named a 2023 James Beard Award finalist!

Amazing news this week as Orlando finally has a James Beard Award finalist.

Henry Moso, the amazingly talented chef and owner of Kabooki Sushi, has been named a finalist in the Best Chef: South category.

Moso's competition is the category is Ana Castro (Lengua Madre, New Orleans), Natalia Vallejo (Cocina al Fondo, San Juan, PR), Alex Perry and Kumi Omori (Vestige, Ocean Springs, MS) and Natalia Vallejo (Cocina al Fondo, San Juan, PR), and Timothy Hontzas (Johnny's Restaurant, Homewood, AL),

"Oh my God I feel so blessed and grateful," Moso said after the announcement was made. "I feel so excited for my team and I owe them everything for their hard work and focus."

Last year, Moso was named a semifinalist for Best Chef: South, and in 2019 he was also named a semifinalist for Rising Star Chef of the Year.

The winner will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 5, 2023, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Henry Moso’s talent has jumped past the borders of his native, landlocked Laos, with childhood travels across Southeast Asia informing his culinary trajectory.

Henry sharpened his skills, and knives, at his mothers restaurants in Bangkok Square and Origami Sushi upon arriving in Florida when he was only 15-years-old.

Opening Kabooki at 22 was a much-anticipated step in his already celebrated career.

Henry hopes to “expand similar and new concepts” in the Orlando area, but for now, the main stage is set at Kabooki, where his mission is to combine locally sourced, seasonal ingredients with the best cuts from Japan for a dining experience centered on quality control, excitement, and surprise.

As always, keep checking back with us here at G otta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida

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