Tyson Cole
Encyclopedia
Tyson Cole is a chef
and restaurateur
based in Austin, Texas
, USA.
The culinary talents of chef and sushi master Tyson Cole are showcased at two Austin, Texas restaurants: award-winning “siblings,” Uchi
and Uchiko. Chef Cole’s menu expands on the Japanese tradition, blending delectable new flavors and influences to create wonderfully original and accessible cuisine. In 2011, Chef Cole secured his berth at the top of his field with his win as “Best Chef, Southwest” at the James Beard Foundation Award
s.
. Attrition among the restaurant's staff gave Cole the opportunity to begin making sushi. He was attending the University of Texas Austin, with interests in painting and architecture. Cole worked three and a half years at Kyoto, from 1992 to 1996.
Starting in mid-1996, Cole apprenticed for six and a half years under Takehiko Fuse, owner/chef of Musashino Sushi Dokoro in Austin, TX. Cole also learned Japanese during this stint.
In May 2003, Cole opened Uchi
, a 95-seat 2600 square feet (241.5 m²) sushi restaurant in Austin.
On July 6, 2010, Cole opened his second restaurant, Uchiko (loosely translated meaning "offspring of Uchi") after a three-week soft opening period.
named Tyson Cole "Best New Chef", one among ten chefs to receive that award.
He led a team of Uchi chefs against Chef Masaharu Morimoto
on the Food Network
program Iron Chef America
in March 2008.
In 2006, Cole won goodhealth.com's "Healthy Chef Showdown" by a hair, over chef David Bull of the Driskill Grill.
In 2008, 2009, and 2010, the James Beard Foundation named Cole as a semifinalist in the “Best Chef: Southwest” category of its "James Beard Foundation Award
", 2009, 2010.
In 2011, Cole was awarded the James Beard Award for "Best Chef: Southwest.".
Chef
A chef is a person who cooks professionally for other people. Although over time the term has come to describe any person who cooks for a living, traditionally it refers to a highly skilled professional who is proficient in all aspects of food preparation.-Etymology:The word "chef" is borrowed ...
and restaurateur
Restaurateur
A restaurateur is a person who opens and runs restaurants professionally. Although over time the term has come to describe any person who owns a restaurant, traditionally it refers to a highly skilled professional who is proficient in all aspects of the restaurant business.-Etymology:The word...
based in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, USA.
The culinary talents of chef and sushi master Tyson Cole are showcased at two Austin, Texas restaurants: award-winning “siblings,” Uchi
Uchi
Uchi is a contemporary Japanese sushi restaurant located in Austin, Texas which opened in 2003. The Japanese word "Uchi" translates to "house" in English, and the space is a refurbished home. Owner and chef Tyson Cole's menu consists of hot and cool tastings, sushi and sashimi , makimono,...
and Uchiko. Chef Cole’s menu expands on the Japanese tradition, blending delectable new flavors and influences to create wonderfully original and accessible cuisine. In 2011, Chef Cole secured his berth at the top of his field with his win as “Best Chef, Southwest” at the James Beard Foundation Award
James Beard Foundation Award
The James Beard Foundation Awards were established in 1990 and are often called "The Oscars of Food." Held on the first weekend in May, the Awards honor the finest chefs, restaurants, wine professionals, journalists, cookbook authors, restaurant designers, and other food professionals in the...
s.
Biography
Cole began his culinary career as a dishwasher at a Japanese restaurant named Kyoto in downtown Austin, TexasAustin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. Attrition among the restaurant's staff gave Cole the opportunity to begin making sushi. He was attending the University of Texas Austin, with interests in painting and architecture. Cole worked three and a half years at Kyoto, from 1992 to 1996.
Starting in mid-1996, Cole apprenticed for six and a half years under Takehiko Fuse, owner/chef of Musashino Sushi Dokoro in Austin, TX. Cole also learned Japanese during this stint.
In May 2003, Cole opened Uchi
Uchi
Uchi is a contemporary Japanese sushi restaurant located in Austin, Texas which opened in 2003. The Japanese word "Uchi" translates to "house" in English, and the space is a refurbished home. Owner and chef Tyson Cole's menu consists of hot and cool tastings, sushi and sashimi , makimono,...
, a 95-seat 2600 square feet (241.5 m²) sushi restaurant in Austin.
On July 6, 2010, Cole opened his second restaurant, Uchiko (loosely translated meaning "offspring of Uchi") after a three-week soft opening period.
Awards
In 2005, Food & Wine MagazineFood & Wine Magazine
Food & Wine is a monthly magazine published by American Express Publishing. It was founded in 1978 by Ariane and Michael Batterberry. It features recipes, cooking tips, travel information, restaurant reviews, chefs, wine pairings and seasonal/holiday content and has been credited by The New York...
named Tyson Cole "Best New Chef", one among ten chefs to receive that award.
He led a team of Uchi chefs against Chef Masaharu Morimoto
Masaharu Morimoto
is a well-known Japanese chef, best known as the third Iron Chef on the Japanese TV cooking show Iron Chef, and an Iron Chef on its spinoff, Iron Chef America. He is also known for his unique style of presenting food....
on the Food Network
Food Network
Food Network is a television specialty channel that airs both one-time and recurring programs about food and cooking. Scripps Networks Interactive owns 70 percent of the network, with Tribune Company controlling the remaining 30 percent....
program Iron Chef America
Iron Chef America
Iron Chef America: The Series is an American cooking show based on Fuji Television's Iron Chef, and is the second American adaptation of the series, following the failed Iron Chef USA. The show is produced by Food Network, which also carried a dubbed version of the original Iron Chef. Like the...
in March 2008.
In 2006, Cole won goodhealth.com's "Healthy Chef Showdown" by a hair, over chef David Bull of the Driskill Grill.
In 2008, 2009, and 2010, the James Beard Foundation named Cole as a semifinalist in the “Best Chef: Southwest” category of its "James Beard Foundation Award
James Beard Foundation Award
The James Beard Foundation Awards were established in 1990 and are often called "The Oscars of Food." Held on the first weekend in May, the Awards honor the finest chefs, restaurants, wine professionals, journalists, cookbook authors, restaurant designers, and other food professionals in the...
", 2009, 2010.
In 2011, Cole was awarded the James Beard Award for "Best Chef: Southwest.".