Owner, Amami
Photos and questions by Maureen Provençal
PQ: What’s your food/wine philosophy?
NI: We are a Chinese/Asian restaurant. We believe in combining common Asian food dishes to create unique ones.
PQ: One food you can’t live without?
NI: Ramen (noodle soup).
PQ: One ingredient you can’t live without?
NI: Soy sauce.
PQ: What food should people be more open to trying?
NI: Hiyashi-chuka (cold noodle salad).
PQ: Weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
NI: Alligator.
PQ: Exact moment you decided to become involved in the restaurant industry?
NI: My husband and I wanted to own and operate a business in Whistler. My husband loves ramen and no one was serving it in town, so we opened Amami.
PQ: What’s your solution for a last minute meal?
NI: Ramen.
PQ: Best trend in food/restaurants?
NI: A good-sized portion of food, and quality.
PQ: Worst trend in food/restaurants?
NI: Packaged and instant foods.
PQ: Greatest professional moment?
NI: The millennium, the whole year.
PQ: Where would you go to eat, if you could go anywhere in the world?
NI: Turkey.
PQ: Where would you go for your last meal in Whistler?
NI: Amami.
PQ: What brought you to Whistler?
NI: We came for the business.
PQ: Who has been the most influential person on your cooking/career?
NI: My husband.
