The Japanese American National Museum (JANM) mourns the passing of Chef Akira Hirose on Sept. 26 at the age of 70.

Born and raised in Kyoto, Hirose trained in Azayle-Rideau, France, as well as Maxim’s de Paris and under Jo?l Robuchon at the Nikko Hotel. He first came to Los Angeles to work at the noted restaurant L’Orangerie. He and his wife Jo Ann Hirose opened a French restaurant in Kyoto before opening Maison Akira, a fixture in Pasadena, for 20 years.

From Maison Akira’s kitchen, Hirose operated the café in JANM’s Pavilion when it first opened in 1999 and went on to cater many events at the museum, from volunteer events to the annual gala, and at many other Little Tokyo organizations. He opened Azay in 2019.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Azay provided meals to low-income families, and Hirose participated in a series of virtual public programs about Japanese cuisine for JANM’s audiences.

“We are devastated by the loss of Chef Akira, whose food, hospitality, and kindness were part of the cultural fabric of the museum and the neighborhood,” said Ann Burroughs, president and CEO of JANM. “He was a vocal advocate for JANM and was always generous in sharing his passion and knowledge of Japanese food and culture.

“Whether serving a grand dinner at a gala or a bento lunch for local seniors, the quality, authenticity, and originality of his food was always evident. He will be greatly missed.”

Articles for you