Why Did Jiro Lose His Michelin Star?

Jiro Ono, a renowned sushi chef from Japan, is world-famous for his restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro and its 3-Michelin star rating. However, in 2020, Jiro lost one of his stars due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This came as a shock to many who had come to admire Jiro’s culinary prowess.

Jiro had been awarded three Michelin stars in 2007 and had held onto them ever since. His restaurant was known for its high-quality sushi that was prepared with great care and respect for the ingredients. He used only the freshest fish and spent years honing his craft to ensure that each plate was perfect.

However, when the pandemic hit Japan in 2020, Jiro’s restaurant had to close its doors due to safety concerns. This meant that he was unable to serve his customers and the quality of his sushi began to suffer. The Michelin Guide took notice of this drop in quality and decided that it was no longer worthy of three stars.

The Impact Of The Pandemic

The pandemic has caused immense disruption all over the world, but particularly so in Japan where Jiro’s restaurant is located. Businesses have been forced to close or operate at reduced capacity, which has affected both their profits and their ability to maintain high standards of quality. This has been especially true for restaurants such as Sukiyabashi Jiro where freshness is key.

The Future Of Sukiyabashi Jiro

It is unclear what the future holds for Sukiyabashi Jiro, but it is certain that it will not be easy for them to regain their Michelin star status. The pandemic has caused an immense amount of damage not just economically but also culturally – people are uncertain about going out even when restrictions are finally lifted. On top of this, Jiro himself is now 89 years old and may not be able to continue running the restaurant at his usual pace.

Conclusion:
It is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on Jiro’s ability to maintain his 3-Michelin star rating at Sukiyabashi Jiro. With businesses closed or operating at reduced capacity during lockdown periods and fresh ingredients being harder to come by, it became increasingly difficult for him to maintain the high standards he was known for. This ultimately led to him losing one of his stars as a result of the pandemic’s disruption.