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The Chefs

Kate Koo is the chef-owner of Zilla Sake in Portland, Oregon. She began her sushi training in 2000 and opened the sushi bar at Zilla in 2008, becoming the owner nearly 11 years ago. Through rigorous apprenticeship under Japanese chefs and diverse experience, her style has evolved to balance tradition and innovation; honoring sushi’s historic roots while allowing artistic creativity and evolution. Her approach is based on a strong foundation of fundamentals and a deep appreciation of the beauty of simplicity. Her culinary journey has broadened to include sake certification by the Japan Sake Education Council, WSET Level 3 award in sake, and Sommelier certification through the Sake Sommelier Association in London. She has been featured in Eater’s Omakase series, a collection of podcast and print interviews, on Food Network, and as a judge on “Chopped.” She can currently be found behind the sushi bar at Zilla and on Instagram @kateyanagikoo.

Jeff Kim is the Executive Chef at Zilla Sake and owner of Aji Fish Butchery, a specialty retailer of dry-aged fish. With over 16 years of experience, Jeff has worked his way around all aspects of the restaurant industry. He started his craft in Los Angeles California, under Chef Katsuya Uechi where he built his foundation on traditional and modern techniques. Subsequently he helped to open Restoration Kitchen and Wine, a wine bar in Old Torrance California focused on local wines and breweries. In 2017, he moved to Portland, Oregon to become the first Chef De Cuisine at Bamboo Sushi to oversee both kitchen operations and the sushi bar. He has created content for Chefsroll and Libbey Plateware. Find him online on the KGW Night Market segment, Instagram @aji__Pdx, or Aji Fish butchery’s website: ajipdx.com

Kau Kau is brought to you by Tracee & Brandon Hirahara, a married couple originally from Oahu who have been bringing the love and aloha to Portland through their onolicious pop-up for others to enjoy since 2021. April-August of 2024 we had the chance to focus on Kau Kau full time though a residency at Little Griddles SE location.

Through Kau Kau, we strive to educate the people of Portland on the wider spectrum of Hawaiian cuisine – servin’ up lesser known onolicious grindz that are wildly popular among the locals, showcasing the variety of different cultures within the islands and influences we have had. Our menus highlight homestyle local favorites – recipes passed down through generations, fine-tuned with a touch of our own. By celebrating the influences that make Hawaiian food so special, we hope to share a little taste of home while bringing something fresh to the Pacific Northwest.

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon Chef Kyle Christy made the transition to cooking from mental health work in 2012, attending Oregon Culinary Institute. After graduating in 2013 he worked his way through many Portland restaurants and ventured to Seattle for a stint before landing a position at Dame in 2017 where he quickly worked his way to the head chef position.  

Christy ran the Dame kitchen until 2019 where he departed to star this own pop up, Gusto and to help open the former Bar Dune on E Burnside. When the pandemic hit in 2020 Bar Dune shut down and Kyle quickly began doing pop ups under the name Street Disco. Over 20 concepts and 14+ locations later Street Disco landed a permanent home on SE Foster Rd in Fall of 2022 where it has become a neighborhood and Portland staple. Still maintaining it's pop up roots and hosting multiple pop ups a month, either concepts from Christy's brain or up and coming chefs working their own concepts. 

The food at Street Disco remains technique and seasonally driven without taking itself too seriously. Big, fresh flavors and a constantly rotating menu in a comfortable environment.

A veteran of the Portland food scene, Chef Vedran Jordan blends traditional Balkan recipes with contemporary flavors in his first restaurant. Born in Sarajevo, Bosnia, and raised in Portland after arriving as a refugee at age 12, Chef Vedran brings a rich culinary heritage to the city he calls home. Chef Vedran’s draws inspiration from his experience heading up some of Portland’s most celebrated kitchens. Using modern techniques and old world techniques to create a new Balkan experience in Portland.