Lesson Report: Interpreter Training Day at FZWC!
Jan 15, 2024
At FZWC, transcending language barriers is a cornerstone of our culinary lessons. Our English interpreters, Ken (right) and Yoichiro (left), play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless communication between students and instructors. To refine their skills, our interpreters actively engage in training, including immersive hands-on sushi lessons.
Embarking on their sushi-making journey, Ken and Yoichiro delved into various aspects of the craft, covering:
- Instructor’s step-by-step demonstration of sushi rice preparation
- Instructor’s expert guidance on fish filleting techniques
- Hands-on practice of crafting nigiri without any toppings (shaping sushi rice balls)
- Nigiri practice incorporating aji and tuna
- Hands-on experience with hosomaki (thin sushi roll) crafting
Despite absorbing advice from past lessons, putting theory into practice proved to be an entirely different challenge. Shaping a simple sushi rice ball proved trickier than anticipated, particularly in gauging the ideal firmness. Additionally, rolling and cutting sushi evenly into six pieces with a slender kitchen knife presented its own set of challenges, resulting in uneven-sized and -shaped rolls.
Ken caught on quickly and rolled sushi rice balls at a fast pace.
On the other hand, Yoichiro was a bit slower because he was worried about making mistakes.
This hands-on experience illuminated the interpreters on the intricacies of sushi-making, revealing that it’s more demanding than it appears. Despite the imperfect shapes of their crafted sushi, Ken and Yoichiro truly enjoyed the process.
Immersing themselves in the art of sushi-making provided valuable insights for Ken and Yoichiro. This firsthand experience not only deepened their understanding of successfully crafting sushi but also equipped them to convey these details effectively in English to our students. They expressed admiration for the techniques and expertise our instructors have honed over several decades.
Through this unique training, Ken and Yoichiro empathized with the students’ journey, recognizing the challenges of mastering sushi. Just like our dedicated instructors, our interpreters are committed to making culinary lessons more accessible and enriching for everyone involved.
