Chef 101

Previous culinary experience — I’ve been with [Michael Mina’s] Mina Group for five years. I worked at Michael Mina Bellagio in Las Vegas for three years. I was a baker at first and then became the assistant pastry chef there. Then I became the executive pastry chef at Sea Blue, also in Las Vegas. And within those five years, I had the opportunity to open Bourbon Steak in Miami, and I was also in Washington, D.C., for two months in December to open up Bourbon Steak in D.C.

I spend a lot of time thinking about pinot noir. Aside from my family, close friends, the ever-fluctuating property values on my block and ideas for the next great American novel or reality show, little else consumes my conscious mind more than the royal grape.

Washington sushi chef Kaz Okochi of Kaz Sushi Bistro has teamed with Richard Sandoval of Zengo to open Masa 14.The restaurant, located at 1825 14th St. NW, will offer small-plate, Latin-Asian fusion cuisine.