yumyumcherry

When we met in Tokyo Midtown last May, Ms. Yamaguchi was wearing a black wrap Diane Von Furstenberg dress created for her by DVF. It is a kimono-inspired design embellished gloriously with Swarovski crystals. Von Furstenberg herself penned an article on her own ‘MUST Do/MUST SEE’ for Kyoto in Departures Magazine (American Express Co.) describing her delightful time spent with Sherry.

YYC was treated to one of Sherry’s VIP experiences—-Yamaguchi-san extended introductions (with her signature razzle dazzle) to celebrity photographer Leslie Kee at his sponsored fund raising Gala (AB FAB & Star Studded)–’LOVE AND HOPE’ at Omotesando Hills, TOKYO.

She next escorted us to a tasting at Omotesando’s famous Montook restaurant where some of the city’s most interesting residents congregate (IF THEY ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GAIN ENTRANCE–It’s regularly booked solid for seatings). The Bouillabaisse was Impressive–and the people watching was even better. What a Hoot! (and Holler)

We proceeded to ‘F’-Bar in Azabu Juban –ABSOLUTELY PACKED– but thanks to Ms. Yamaguchi’s status as a Producer for International Fashion Television-the red carpet was rolled out yet again. (We’ll have to begin wearing ermine if we hang with this crowd).

Sherry is a graduate of London’s Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design and she is the Producer for NHK’s ‘Forbidden Kyoto,’ a television program which introduces viewers to the culture and beauty for which Kyoto is renowned. She is a qualified ambassador to the elite world of geisha, ceremony and the cultural celebration of Japan–her family connections stem from the hanamachi x-cho, one of the 5 geisha districts of Kyoto.

Of course–All that Glitters is not Gold, but Ms. Yamaguchi possesses a 24K heart. She has worked tirelessly for the relief effort since the tsunami and earthquake of March 11 in Japan. Those now infamous nuclear reactors for Tepco (Tokyo Electric and Power Company) suffered extensive damage after the unprecedented 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami ravaged the country.

We have seen a few of her Direct contributions to the afflicted areas– (note: Croissant June 2011 Magazine wtih Jane Birkin at Fukushima, page 58). Jane Birkin (THE JANE BIRKIN) and Sherry Yamaguchi drove northeast of Tokyo to volunteer their time and efforts at Fukushima within a month of the devastation.

Jane and Sherry and other selfless volunteers delivered hot food, clean water, and other necessary support to the victims of the disaster (Ms. Birkin contributed one of her heralded (and customized) Hermes bags from her personal collection).

At this writing, Ms. Birkin has since donated yet another signature handbag in an effort to continue awareness and charity for Japan.

Sherry Yamaguchi was so moved by the tragedy that she donated HALF of her annual salary from NHK to the Relief Effort by the Japanese Red Cross.

There are many stars, but ‘Team’ Birkin-Yamaguchi shines brightly to our eyes at yumyumcherry. Many Kudos for good work.

Wine, Dinner and Song with more than a dash of the sense of humanity—

It can’t get better than that…..

Arigato Gozai Imasu

And, speaking of works that are indeed GOOD–The Newest installment in the Forbidden Kyoto series has just been released!

DO check.

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Shin Okubo or Koreatown (not Zozotown: whole different vibe) Tokyo.

Wow! so, you’ve decided to spice up your life?
Nothing like a little red pepper paste and some garlic.
I like mine pickled.
YYC found Shin Okubo.
Of course, don’t ask for their Beef Bulgogi specials at the Pork only restaurant like I did.
ha ha (Missed the cartoon of Porky doing a jig on the front of the menu and on the walls apparently.)
That said it’s hard to argue with a feast fit for King Sejong.

Later YYC did find another enclave of all that is Chosun off the Akasaka stop of the Chiyoda Line–
less selection (at least in terms of shops offering Korean ‘Idol’ memorabilia) but better food—
AND INFINITELY BETTER COMPANY (Kudos to Takeshi-san, Juro-san, Naoshi-san!)

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Well, well….hasn’t Betty (as in Crocker) gotten P.C. in her old age.

Admittedly, I’ve whipped up drums of this stuff throughout the years (’cheeseburger’…aka….macaroni and ‘American cheese food product flavoured dry sauce mix’ has always been a Best Seller in my kitchen (reading that should actually put the fear of God in you).

Let’s see—–(doing my Church Lady impression with requisite Dana Carvey smirk)—–There’s China, and Thailand, and Vietnam…there it is, Vietnam…just sitting there on the map waiting to be invited….
and let’s see….there’s Korea! Oh Looky, Korea has a North and a South…………

Well, isn’t that “Special”…….
and over there is Japan…..

(okay, enough)
So General Foods has deigned it a bit too complicated to identify this whole ‘Asia’ thing.
(but then, so do the baggage handlers at United)

I mean-if you really need to pare it down to comprehend stuff–how ’bout some Native Cuisine.
No–not Cherokee Helper, forget Tribes/States/Borders (Betty did).

Let’s do: ‘North American Helper’
which would, I guess, be a packet of maple syrup, a bag of taco chips and some ‘American cheese food product flavoured dry sauce mix,’ eh?

Frankly, I’d never dream of preparing ‘Asian Helper’ without at least TWO ‘Asian Helpers’
Go figure.

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