40 Under Forty: Engin Onural

Executive Sushi Chef/Owner, The Venue Sushi Bar & Sake Lounge

Kathy Strong 40 under Forty 2014

 

Engin Onural
Executive Sushi Chef/Owner, The Venue Sushi Bar & Sake Lounge
Age: 29

 

Sushi chef and restaurant owner Engin Onural believes he shares an important attribute with his generation: Innovation.

“I experiment in the kitchen and reflect my perspective of the world in the work that I do,” Onural says. “My actions are driving my passions, resulting in innovation. We are a generation that gives importance to spending time doing what we like.”

And what Onural, the owner of The Venue Sushi Bar & Sake Lounge in Palm Desert, likes is food. It is his passion and what took him 7,000 miles from his family and friends in Turkey to attend the Sushi Chef Institute in Los Angeles for a culinary degree as well as sake sommelier certification.

His dream of owning his own restaurant dedicated to his passion came true in January 2011.

“I enjoy learning about other people and letting them into my world — either by warmly inviting them into my restaurant or by preparing a special piece of delicious sushi,” Onural says. “Even after four seasons, every day I get excited to go to my restaurant, get ready, and open the doors to start letting guests in.”

 

VIDEO: Engin Onural says he looks forward to opening a second location soon.