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Vancouver Sun
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Sushi and street-style vibes: Two chefs with total of four Michelin stars team up in Toronto
At $125 a pop, tickets for Masaki Saito's Toronto collaboration dinner with Nozomu Abe of New York City's Sushi Noz sold out in less than 30 minutes . The appeal isn't a surprise. Saito and Abe, who are from the same small coastal Hokkaido town, have four Michelin stars between them. And then there's the relative affordability. An omakase dinner at Sushi Masaki Saito , Canada's only restaurant to hold two Michelin stars , costs $780. On July 4 and 5 at MSSM Ossington , 144 guests saw the celebrity chefs in action. And, in a patriotic twist, in contrast to their Michelin-starred establishments, which use almost exclusively imported Japanese ingredients, Canadian products loomed large. Saito estimates that 95 per cent of the ingredients at Sushi Masaki Saito are Japanese; Abe uses 99 per cent imported products at Sushi Noz. At MSSM, where Saito's students execute his Edomae-style omakase menu for $98 per person, they typically use 50/50 imported and local ingredients. Saito and Abe tipped the Canadian balance even further for their collaboration dinner, saying that only seasonings such as soy sauce and vinegar were from Japan. Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The 11 courses included silky B.C. spot prawns cured in kelp and delicate hay-smoked oysters dusted with dill, Nova Scotia lobster with Ontario eggplant and a refreshing vinegar jelly, and a five-ingredient chilled Ontario corn purée. 'I never touch local American ingredients. When I touched the Canadian local ingredients, it was so good,' says Abe. While a hinoki wood counter cut from a 200-year-old tree and traditional Japanese woodwork define the room at Sushi Masaki Saito, MSSM Ossington is another story. The restaurant is covered in vibrant graffiti by Vancouver-based artist Chairman Ting . At the collaboration dinner I attended on July 5 (the first of three sittings), a DJ spun 1990s and early 2000s hip-hop as guests clinked beers over the two 12-seat sushi bars with Saito and Abe: 'Kampai!' Saito had long envisioned this fun atmosphere, he tells me. 'Five seats, four seats in the club, was my high school dream.' With MSSM's high ceilings, colourful graffiti stylings and pulsing music, he realized it. 'A street-style club inside a sushi restaurant is special,' says Saito. Abe agrees. The Michelin Guide described his namesake New York sushi restaurant as a 'sacred space, where every detail recreates an intimate Japanese refuge.' The atmosphere of the collaboration dinner was a marked change. 'My restaurant has no music, and it's very quiet. People focus on the food. Everyone is quiet,' says Abe. 'But this restaurant has big vibes.' Whether his three MSSM locations (including one in Edmonton ) or newest Toronto spot, Ramen Tabetai (where they make just enough rich, pork broth for 100 Jiro-style bowls per day, selling for $22.88), Saito highlights that his primary motivation for opening restaurants isn't monetary. 'Money is (further) down. First and second priorities are: I want to eat; I want to go. It's a very simple reason.' The restaurants Saito craved didn't exist, he adds, 'So, I made them myself.' Since Saito moved to Toronto in 2019, after running the counter at the two-star Sushi Ginza Onodera on Fifth Avenue in New York City, he says the culinary scene has changed 'little by little.' New York's evolution may be faster, but he thinks its growth has almost reached the ceiling. 'Canada has more space,' says Saito. 'Canada has potential.' His vision for Japanese cuisine in Canada doesn't include any more sushi spots. 'We did that already,' he adds. 'I want to open a tempura and a yakitori. More Japanese cuisine techniques.' Saito says many Japanese restaurants operate at the mid-level in Canada. Unlike New York, which has the likes of the Michelin-starred Tempura Matsui and Torien , specializing in binchotan-cooked skewers, the high-end is lacking. 'If we open, I want to open (a Michelin-level restaurant). No competition. Blue ocean.' He already has his sights set on Western Canada (Calgary and Vancouver specifically), but any future projects would open in Toronto first, with an increased focus on Canadian products. Sushi Masaki Saito aside, which he sees continuing to use predominantly Japanese ingredients, in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and trade war, Saito is pushing more local products at his other restaurants. 'They should use Canadian products more and more. And then more Canadian pride, like this,' he says, tapping his Sushi Masaki Saito chef's jacket with the Japanese and Canadian flags side by side. Saito notes that he didn't put an American flag on his chef's whites when he worked in New York City. (However, if it ever came down to Canada versus Japan, his allegiance lies with Japan, 'of course.') He points out that many people go to Japan to learn how to brand and care for food products so they fit into the premium category. (Witness the $120 melon or $325 strawberry .) 'Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, they know branding. So Canadian products — pork, chicken, everything — more high-brand, Canadian pride, please.' Saito says it isn't necessarily a question of one nation's products being better than another's. Factors such as the weather, temperature, humidity, the environment and nature all impact the quality. The Canadian products he considers the most promising include oysters, lobsters, spot prawns and sea urchins, which people already consider luxuries. He uses sea urchin companies as an example, which he thinks have the potential to build a brand that captures high-end chefs' attention at home and abroad. 'Then, in 50 years, after we die, maybe the Canadian sea urchin (will be) very famous in the world. They should do it because the Canadian sea urchin is good. Canadian lobster is good. The Canadian oyster is good. Very good, good, good.' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our cookbook and recipe newsletter, Cook This, here .
The Star
23-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
From playground to podium, Goh sows Olympics seed through Kidslympic
One for the album: Former mixed doubles shuttler Goh Liu Ying (back row, centre) posing with participants of the Kidslympic programme. PETALING JAYA: Kids can start their journey towards realising their Olympic dreams from a young age thanks to Kidslympic Malaysia. Former shuttler Goh Liu Ying, who captured silver in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics with Chan Peng Soon in the mixed doubles, started the initiative to encourage more children under the age of 12 to take up sports. In this year's edition, athletics, swimming, 3x3 basketball, volleyball, football, gymnastics and obstacle race will be contested from Oct 10-12 at PNB Merdeka Ventures Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. The event was launched on Sunday, thanks to the partnership with Affin Bank and Watsons Malaysia as the main partners. 'I started Kidslympic with the main intention of helping children develop a better understanding of health and fitness,' said Liu Ying. 'For kids who may be interested in pursuing sports professionally but are still unsure of where their strengths lie, Kidslympic can serve as a platform for them to explore and discover which type of sport suits them best. 'This is actually one of the first sporting events in Malaysia specifically for children under the age of 12. 'It's somewhat similar to National Schools (MSSM) or inter schools championships but without the pressure and competitiveness that often come with it. 'MSSM have limited slots and requires students to go through school-based selections, but Kidslympic is open to all primary school children under 12, giving more kids the opportunity to participate,' added Liu Ying. Liu Ying's achievements as an athlete also spurred her to create Kidslympic. Kidslympic was first held last December and featured five sports – athletics, softball, volleyball, gymnastics and modern pentathlon, where 800 took part.
New Straits Times
22-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Olympian Liu Ying brings back Kidslympic to inspire next generation
KUALA LUMPUR: Kidslympic returns for its second edition in October, with organisers expecting around 5,000 children from across the country to take part. The grassroots sports festival, co-founded by former national shuttler Goh Liu Ying, is designed for children under-12 and promotes sports in a fun, inclusive environment. This year's event will run from Oct 10-12 at Merdeka Stadium and will feature nine disciplines - up from five last year - including gymnastics, basketball, football and athletics. Liu Ying, a three-time Olympian, said Kidslympic was created to fill a gap in the sporting calendar by offering an alternative to school competitions. "Last year was our first edition, and the response was very encouraging. This year, we're expanding with more participants and more events," she said. "In Malaysia, there aren't many platforms like this for young children. We're not trying to push them to go professional - it's about helping them lead active lifestyles. "If they're interested in pursuing sport more seriously later, this can become a stepping stone for talent development." Unlike school-based events such as the National Schools Sports Council (MSSM), Kidslympic is open to all, with no selection process or school affiliation required. "Anyone can register, you don't need to go through your school or district. Even individuals can sign up. We want kids to have the freedom to try two or three different sports and discover what they enjoy," said Liu Ying. Feedback from parents has also been overwhelmingly positive. "Some parents were initially worried about pressure, but they've found that Kidslympic is different. It's fun, low-pressure, and helps their children explore new interests." Although Liu Ying is best known for winning a silver medal in mixed doubles at the 2016 Rio Olympics with Chan Peng Soon, badminton will not be featured this year. "We want to promote sports that don't usually get the spotlight. "Badminton already has a strong foundation in Malaysia, so we're giving other sports a chance to grow and be seen," she added.
Focus Malaysia
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Focus Malaysia
Should Malaysia's grassroot football initiatives be scrapped as national team features so many naturalised players?
THE issue of football players choosing to represent a national team other than their homeland is nothing new. Brazilian Deco is possibly the most high-profile case when he chose to don the colours of his adopted country – Portugal – in 2003. There are also a number of cases where players have opted to represent one of the British home nations such as Scotland and Wales based on their ancestry. This includes notable names such as Vinny Jones and Brennan Johnson – both born and raised in England but had Welsh ancestors in the family tree – thus qualifying them to play for the Welsh Dragons. But what if a player doesn't have any lineage to that nation nor having even lived there prior to donning its national jersey? This was the point digital creator Roman Akromovic (@SyedAkramin) strived to drive home on X by alluding to a post welcoming Facundo Garces to the Harimau Malaya (national football squad) ranks. Selepas 60 tahun dan ratus juta $$$ hangus, Malaysia gagal ke Piala Dunia. Kini FAM beri tumpuan kepada pemain naturalisasi dan warisan. Liga pun sudah benarkan 15 pemain import. Apa nasib sekolah sukan, akademi bolasepak, MSSM dan semua program akar umbi? Sudah boleh ditutup? — Roman Akramovich (@SyedAkramin) June 3, 2025 The Argentine who plies his trade as a defender with La Liga outfit Deportivo Alaves does not have any known link to Malaysia. This prompted the poster to suggest that after 60 years and hundreds of millions of ringgit invested, Malaysian football is still in the doldrums by failing to qualify for the World Cup. He went on to lament that the domestic league now permits up to 15 imported players while FAM (Football Association of Malaysa) itself was turning its attention to naturalised players. What of the many grass root initiatives such as MSSM (Schools Sports Council of Malaysia) and football academies? Were these to be shut down as well? Given the popularity of the sport in the country, it was no surprise that the post has gone viral, garnering 646.4K views at the time of writing. One netizen made his feelings crystal clear with an image featuring a banner that loudly denounced having foreigners in the national team. More than one favoured a system based on the Japan model highlighting its competitive domestic leagues that gave local players opportunities. This was the way forward as the proof is in the pudding – many Japanese players play professionally in top European clubs such as Liverpool and Arsenal while helping Team Nippon to regularly qualify for the World Cup. Why the need to close all sports schools? They aren't just for the development of football alone, chided one netizen. Another argued that grassroot development is still required for the long term future of the sport. In fact, every local club should have its own youth academy to facilitate this, he surmised. A few were in favour of allowing players with links to Malaysia to represent the country. One commenter used the example of Morocco which widely used Ligue 1 players in France for its national team albeit those with the relevant heritage. But in the case of Garces, he has no known links to Malaysia. He is naturalised player who is quite simply a short-term fix. This is indeed a thorny issue which has wider repercussions for national identity, never mind the money spent on decades of development programmes. However, it can safely be assumed that all of the above would be forgotten should he help Harimau Malaya take that decisive step towards Copa Mundial glory. – June 5, 2025
Borneo Post
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Borneo Post
Sarawak MSSM divers exceed expectations
Shi (sixth right, back row) celebrates the amazing achievement with the Sarawak divers and officials. KUCHING (May 31): Sarawak's young divers are charting a bold new course toward international waters after dominating the Malaysian School Sports Council (MSSM) diving championship. Held from May 24-28 at the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) Arena Larkin Aquatic Centre, the event saw Sarawak rise to the top of the national diving scene with a commanding medal haul of nine golds, two silvers and six bronzes. The victory was hard-earned against stiff competition, with Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur finishing second with two golds, four silvers and two bronze medals while Selangor were placed third with one gold, three silvers and one bronze. Other teams in contention included Sabah, Penang, Johor, Perlis, Perak and Federal Territory of Labuan. Despite the strong field, it was Sarawak's consistent excellence across all age categories that set them apart from the rest of the teams. In the Boys' Under-18 division, Muhammad Lutfir Rahman struck gold in the 1m springboard and added a silver in the 3m springboard, while teammate Soh Tze Kang delivered another gold in the 3m springboard. In the Girls' Under-18 category, Nurul Farisya Alia Affendi secured a silver in the 3m springboard event. The winning momentum continued in the Under-15 category, with Brayden Wong claiming gold in the 3m springboard and bronze in the 1m springboard. On the girls' side, Cecelia Olivia dominated with double golds in both the 1m and 3m springboard, while Nur Ikmas Darwisyah contributed two bronze medals. Sarawak's youngest divers also made their mark. In the Boys' Under-12 division, Muhammad Hijri Rayyan captured gold in the 1m and bronze in the 3m springboard, while Awang Sharzan Zaqwan earned gold in the 3m and bronze in the 1m. For the Under-12 girls, Nur Aryna Balqis emerged as a double gold medallist in the 1m and 3m springboar, while Izara Leanne Sufeeya delivered strong fourth-place finishes in both events. To Sarawak head coach Shi Yang, the MSSM results exceeded all expectations. 'I didn't expect that we could win many gold medals and we were all very surprised. 'Our divers gave an outstanding performance by showing mental strength, great technique and resilience under pressure,' he added. However, the coach from China was quick to shift focus towards what lies ahead. 'This victory is just the beginning. Now we are preparing for the SEA Age Group Championships in Singapore. 'That will be our next big test. After that, we're building towards Sukma 2026 in Selangor. Agi Idup, Agi Ngelaban (As long as we live, we fight),' he stressed. diving Malaysian School Sports Council sports
