Staff

Scott Nishiyama
Chef

Scott grew up on the island of Maui, Hawaii, the son of a second generation flower grower. As a young boy, he was exposed to the wonderfully fresh produce that his family grew on their farm, and enjoyed daily in their meals. Though cooking and food had always been a passion, he was drawn to a career in the sciences, and spent his undergraduate years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology pursuing a degree in chemistry.

Yet, an undeniable urge to be in the kitchen remained. Soon after graduating, Scott took his first step to becoming a chef, by taking a cooking position at the Hotel Bel Air in Los Angeles. With the guidance of the chef, he soon enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.

Upon his graduation, he worked in such illustrious restaurants as Cello and Town in NYC. In 2003, when an opportunity to work for Daniel Boulud at restaurant Daniel arose, Scott jumped at the opportunity. After two fruitful years under chef Boulud’s tutelage, Scott was tapped to help open and manage Daniel’s new restaurant at the Wynn Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas, Daniel Boulud Brasserie. This was a tremendous experience, as the hugely successful restaurant attracted many high profile clientele.

Yet, when Corey Lee, chef de cuisine of the French Laundry, called one day in need of a chef, Scott couldn’t pass up the offer. He decided to take a small step back and leave the bright lights of the Strip for the picturesque wine country of Napa Valley. Scott credits most of his culinary expertise and inspiration to his time at the French Laundry, working with a highly passionate group of individuals. In 2008, he was led back to the city, when he accepted the chef de cuisine position at the newly completed Yoshi’s in San Francisco. Together with executive chef Shotaro Kamio, they changed the culinary landscape of San Francisco, with their interpretation of modern Japanese cuisine.

Today, as the executive chef of Chez TJ, Scott draws upon what he has learned through his varied and wonderful experiences, to not only create exciting and refined dishes, but also to build lasting memories for anyone who dines in this cozy little restaurant in Mountain View.