Vegas Uncork'd presented by Bon Appétit

Akira Back

A Korea native and former professional snowboarder who was raised in Colorado, Akira Back brings his sense of adventure and boundless creativity to the kitchen at Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant & Bar, which opened in the summer of 2008 at Las Vegas’ Bellagio Resort & Casino. His menu is rooted in classical Japanese cuisine and highlights innovative dishes that utilize fresh ingredients from the world’s top purveyors. Akira’s signature dishes earned him the title of “Rising Star” in October 2008 by Restaurant Hospitality, and in December 2008 he had the distinct honor of hosting a multi-course dinner at the prestigious James Beard House.

Akira spent his early years as a professional snowboarder, showing off his talents in extreme movies and garnering praise in industry magazines like Snowboarder and Transworld. To supplement the small income, Akira started cooking in local Aspen restaurants to earn extra cash. He discovered the adventure and thrill he experienced on the slopes also existed in the kitchen, and after seven years on the professional snowboarding circuit, Akira decided to leave it behind in favor of a culinary career.

After graduating from The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes in Colorado, Akira began his epicurean adventure in earnest — at Kenichi in Aspen. He was later recruited to help open Kenichi in Austin, Texas, and then Kenichi in Kona on Hawaii’s big island. Akira’s love of travel and culinary exploration took him to Japan and Europe, where he learned the value of using rare and exotic ingredients, staging at some of the world’s great kitchens under master chefs including Masaharu Morimoto and Brian Nagao. Returning to Aspen from his time abroad, Akira was hired to work as the executive chef of Matsuhisa, during which time he trained and worked with international celebrity chef and restaurateur Nobu Matsuhisa. While working with Nobu, Akira was introduced to the acclaimed chef’s fusion-style cooking that blends traditional Japanese cuisine with South American ingredients.

His tenure with Nobu instilled a deep appreciation for this style of cuisine, reflected on his menu at Yellowtail Restaurant & Sushi Bar in dishes including Big Eye Tuna Pizza with shiso; Maine Lobster Carpaccio with sweet onion and cilantro; Unagi & Banana Roll with cucumber, avocado and scallions; and Strawberry Roll with spicy tuna and cucumber. Akira was a contestant on the Food Network’s Iron Chef America in 2008 battling Bobby Flay and became a spokesperson for Japanese knife company Suisin knives. Back also was a spokesperson for The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes and was featured on the school’s Fall ’08 ad campaign that aired on the Food Network.

Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant & Bar

Bellagio Las Vegas
3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Tel: 702.693.7223

Link: http://www.bellagio.com/

Overlooking Bellagio’s iconic lake in which fountains perform a magnificent aquatic ballet choreographed to music and lights, Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant & Bar’s stunning and sleek ambiance sets the stage for award-winning chef Akira Back’s menu of authentic, traditional and modern Japanese cuisine. Seasonal fish and ingredients flown in daily from the finest markets and purveyors around the world are showcased in sushi, sashimi, tempura and hand rolls.