Who Is Chizuko Kimura? First Female Michelin-Starred Sushi Chef

Chizuko Kimura, owner of Sushi Shunei in Paris, is the first female sushi chef in the world to win a Michelin star. The story behind this prestigious honour is tragic, as her husband, Shunei Kimura, died from cancer months after he won one for their restaurant in 2022. The restaurant lost its star the following year. Now, 54-year-old chef Chizuko has regained the star, keeping his legacy alive. "He was proud that his restaurant was recognised. So this star has become very important to me,” she said in an interview with the South China Morning Post.

Michelin described the restaurant as: "A sensorial journey is guaranteed thanks to the dexterity with which the nigiri are made, the use and working of superb fish and the subtle seasoning." Traditionally, a master sushi chef requires at least a 10-year apprenticeship. However, Chizuko got her star in just five.

Chef Chizuko Kimura

Chizuko's journey as a head chef was unexpected. She was earlier a tour guide but lost my job during the COVID-19 pandemic. When her husband Shunei, who had worked in France for decades, decided to open his own restaurant, Chizuko decided to help with the business. “He was already ill at that time, and that’s when I started helping him," she told SCMP. 

Chef Chizuko learnt from Shunei how to cut the fish, cook the rice, and run the restaurant while caring for him as he grew more ill. Soon, she learnt and took charge of the restaurant after her husband's demise in June 2022. "I still train on my days off. I am always studying," she expressed. She hired a new master sushi chef, refined the menu, and updated the equipment.

In May 2025, Chef Chizuko regained the coveted Michelin star that they lost in 2023. "If Shunei had never received a star, I wouldn’t have been particularly attached to obtaining one myself... My first goal is to maintain this star. We must strive to offer even better service and ensure impeccable quality," she said. "If this recognition can inspire other women, I will be very happy."