Chef Kumeta was born in Shizuoka, Japan, and moved to the U.S. at age four. His passion for cooking led him to culinary school, where he began his career. Chef Kumeta honed his skills at several Izakaya restaurants before finding inspiration under the mentorship of Chef Takahashi at Hamasaku, which propelled his pursuit of a sushi chef career. For the past three years, Chef Kumeta worked closely with Chef Hiroyoshi, whose mentorship was key in his development as Executive Chef of Hamasaku.
For more than two decades, Hamasaku has been a fixture in Los Angeles sushi culture. Famously tucked away in a strip mall in West LA, the restaurant has amassed a storied list of fans throughout the years, as evidenced by a once double-sided menu of rolls and specials named after its entertainment industry regulars.