BRUCE RICKETTS

In 2011, after coming home from working as a cook in San Diego, California, then 21-year-old chef Bruce Ricketts opened his first venture in Manila. Called Sensei Sushi Bar, the restaurant took its name from the Ricketts family background in teaching martial arts.

Sensei Sushi Bar began as a hole-in-the-wall restaurant serving Bruce’s playful take on Japanese comfort food, and it soon grew to offer his highly inventive and thrilling omakase menus, which reflect his background in California cuisine and obsession with Japanese ingredients and technique.

Sensei’s maverick, high-low hybrid of punchy Japanese staples and bold and distinctly provocative tasting menus earned Bruce a loyal following and cemented him as one of Manila’s most exciting, creative, innovative, and sought-after culinary talents.

Aside from Sensei, Bruce is also the mastermind behind taquería La Chinesca, fast-casual Japanese concept Ooma, and fine-dining restaurant Mecha Uma.