Yuki Ieto, Sushi Chef/Partner Pubbelly Sushi

The second restaurant and concept that opened in the quickly-growing and widely-successful Pubbelly empire, Pubbelly Sushi is the neighborhood sushi gastropub that has been packing the house nightly by virtue of its delicious Asian-inspired pub grub, innovative sushi, craft beers and unique sake cocktails. At the forefront, alongside chef/owner Jose Mendin is Sushi Chef/Partner Yuki Ieto.

Practically born into the restaurant business, Ieto’s father, Chef Tokiji Ieto, brought him on as an apprentice at the famed Hamada of Japan in Las Vegas at the ripe age of 15. There young Ieto developed his love for the kitchen and his skill as a sushi master. At the age of 19, Ieto was hired to open Okada at the AAA five diamond, Mobil five-star, Forbes five-star, and Michelin five star Wynn Las Vegas resort under Master Chef Yagehashi Takahashi, working all stations in the restaurant, from the sushi bars to the Japanese robata grills. Exposed to techniques and ingredients with which he had not before worked, Ieto honed his craft at Okada, preparing him for his destiny.

In 2006 Chef Hiro Nakano, former Executive Chef of Nobu Las Vegas, recruited Ieto to open his solo venture, Sen of Japan, where they worked together for a year before he landed his first big break as Executive Chef of SUSHISAMBA Las Vegas. It was there that Ieto worked alongside future business associates Chef Jose Mendin and Pastry Chef Sergio Navarro and formed a lasting friendship and mutual respect.

In late 2011, Ieto finally traded the desert sands of Vegas for the sunny beaches of Miami to help develop and run the Pubbelly Boys’ sushi gastropub concept, Pubbelly Sushi. Since opening, Ieto, Mendin and the team at Pubbelly Sushi have been recognized with numerous accolades, including Best Sushi 2013 from Miami New Times and Miami SunPost, as well as stellar reviews in the Miami Herald and Miami New Times and national recognition in publications like Food & Wine, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure and Departures. In 2014, Ieto, was recognized in Forbes’ 30 Under 30: Food & Drink.