Akira Back

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Akira Back is a Las Vegas chef of Korean heritage and former professional snowboarder.[1] Back appeared on an episode of the television show Iron Chef America in 2008, battling Bobby Flay.[2] Back was executive chef of Nobu Matsuhisa's namesake restaurant in Aspen, Colorado until assuming the position of executive chef at Yellowtail Restaurant & Bar at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada,[3] which is scheduled to open in Summer 2008.[4] He has also trained under Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto.[4]

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Back is a native Korean[1] who moved to Carbondale, Colorado with his family when he was 15 years old. He attended Colorado Rocky Mountain School and became involved in snowboarding, traveling internationally[4] and appearing in the publications Transworld Snowboarding and Snowboard Magazine. After sustaining injuries from snowboarding, including four shoulder separations, he decided it was time for a career change. He has also said that the lack of money earned from snowboarding influenced his decision to begin training as a chef and pursuing a culinary career.[3]

[edit] Culinary career

Back began his training as a second chef at Kenichi Restaurant in Aspen, Colorado; he later helped open other locations in Austin, Texas and Kona, Hawaii. He then traveled throughout Japan and Europe, training with chefs Brian Nagao and Masaharu Morimoto. He returned to Aspen in 2004, where he became executive chef of Nobu Matsuhisa's restaurant Matsuhisa.[3]

Back was approached by Las Vegas' Light Group to open the Yellowtail Restaurant & Bar at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. Back has been working on menu development for the restaurant since April 2007;[3] the restaurant is scheduled to open in Summer 2008.[4]

[edit] Iron Chef

During the 2006 Food & Wine Magazine Classic in Aspen, a producer of Iron Chef America approached Back after tasting a menu that Back had presented. Back immediately agreed to appear on Iron Chef America, saying that he loves the show and "grew up with it".[3] On an episode that aired March 16, 2008, he lost to Bobby Flay in a spinach battle, although the judges rated Back's plating as superior.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Womack, Jeremy (2008-03-13). The Light Group’s Chef Akira Back Battles on Iron Chef America. Retrieved on 2008-03-17.
  2. ^ TV: Iron Chef America: Flay vs. Back: Food Network. FoodNetwork.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-17.
  3. ^ a b c d e Stonington, Joel. "Local man ready to throw down on 'Iron Chef'", The Aspen Times, 2007-09-07. Retrieved on 2008-03-17. 
  4. ^ a b c d Yahoo! Finance (2008-02-20). "Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant & Bar to Offer Unparalleled Dining Experience in Modern and Luxurious Atmosphere". Press release. Retrieved on 2008-03-17.
  5. ^ "Iron Chef - Akira Back vs Bobby Flay". Iron Chef America. 2008-03-17. No. 81, season 6.

[edit] External links