A true Shinobi in terms of his reverential and restrained discretion, the young chef in his forties, Mitsuru Tsukada, is a true Daïmio 大名 of Nikkei Cuisine in Switzerland and beyond. Trained by the master of this culinary style, Nobu Matsuhisa, he has successfully created his own gastronomic identity at the Izumi restaurant of the Four Seasons Hôtel des Bergues in Geneva. Leveraging the synergies between ancestral Japanese gastronomic know-how and the richness (among other things) of the spicy flavors characterizing Latin American-Peruvian cuisine, he is the Sensei of his art. Witness his commitment and accuracy in creating menus embodying a perfect alchemy of tastes and ingredients. His creativity is also enlisted by other restaurants of the Four Seasons group in Megève, Madrid, Beirut and soon Budapest.
Chef, the immediacy of your cooking requires accuracy; which was the first watch to grace your wrist ?
If I’m not mistaken, at the time I had chosen a model from a Japanese brand that was sturdily resistant to the trials of my professional activity: a Casio G-Shock, capable of facing the challenges of my intense moments in the kitchen. It faithfully accompanied the start of my career in Kumamoto, Japan and I still have it today.
You were able to export your talent to both Greece and the United Kingdom before coming to Switzerland; have you changed timepiece too?
Yes, indeed. It is worth pointing out that there is a Japanese culture of appreciating watchmaking that I share with many of my compatriots. At the time, I was won over by one of my favorite watches, which is now proving to be a lasting investment, a superb Rolex Master GMT Pepsi 16700. Timeless, sporty and chic, it has crossed the seas and oceans while remaining as youthful as ever, unlike me!
Did your 2013 arrival at the head of the Izumi restaurant enable you to nurture your passion for watches?
Definitely, I have been able to satisfy my passion by becoming the owner of two watches focused on durability and the aquatic field and the oceans, first of all with a Panerai PAM 88 that I particularly appreciate for the XXL readability of its dial as well as its slightly vintage, military and emblematic look. I was subsequently attracted to a black IWC AquaTimer Galapagos Island. Easy to wear and highly durable, it also combines the qualities I need for my daily activities as well as my spare time. I like them both and alternate between them.
If you had to choose your ideal watch, what would it be?
It’s a tough choice, as there are so many watches I would like to own, but if you limit my response to justone, yet without it being too obvious, I would choose a Patek Philippe Calatrava that encompasses all the quality standards I love: design, style, precision, beauty, resistance to the passing of time as well as – without being overly philosophical – longevity and success.
*Written by Louis-Olivier Maury
