Nobu Matsuhisa, born in Japan, was classically trained in a sushi restaurant in Tokyo before he headed to Peru. He then went on to successive ventures in Argentina, Alaska, and L.A., where he opened Matsuhisa in 1987. Seven years later, Robert De Niro persuaded him to open Nobu New York City. Since then, he has opened 25 more restaurants around the world. In recognition of his influence on cooking worldwide, "Time" magazine chose him as one of Asia s Heroes in 2005. He has appeared as a guest on numerous television shows, including The Martha Stewart Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Today Show, and others. Masashi Kuma is a James Beard Award nominated photographer."