Behind the Sushi Bar

Hi, I’m Marisa Baggett. I’m a Black female sushi chef from Mississippi. Over the last 20 years, my food journey has been a delicious blend of unexpected flavors and life lessons. From sushi school to writing cookbooks, running sushi bars, and even owning a kosher deli, my path has been anything but traditional.

What is Dear Sensei?

Dear Sensei is my weekly food diary where I share memories, insights, and flavors from my unconventional journey. It’s a space for storytelling, reflecting on lessons learned—like the time I said yes to catering sushi when I had never made or tasted it before! (I know. The chutzpah, right?!) It’s also a space for sharing my food musings and creative recipes inspired by Japanese flavors, with the occasional sprinkle of sushi techniques.

Subscribe for Weekly Content

My absolute favorite part of this great journey has been the moments spent working behind the sushi bar, interacting with those seated in front of me. Dear Sensei is my way of inviting you to pull up a seat at the sushi bar to share stories, flavors, and more over great food.

As a sushi chef and storyteller, I’m thrilled to invite you into this intimate look at my journey through the food industry. And along the way, I hope to offer a fresh perspective on food—one that inspires and delights. Whether you’re here to savor a story, learn something new, or simply be inspired, I’m so glad you’re here.

Welcome to Dear Sensei!

Subscribe to get full access to the newsletter and publication archives.

To learn more about the tech platform that powers this publication, visit Substack.com.