Born and raised in Okinawa, Mika Kochi came to the United States to study culinary arts.
After graduating from Johnson & Wales University, Kochi worked at Norman’s Restaurant in Coral Gables, Florida, Pacific Time in South Beach and took part in the opening of Loew’s Miami Beach Hotel. After opening the Loews, she was employed at the Turnberry Isle Club and Resort as the Assistant Pasty Chef for 10 years.
Most recently, Kochi taught at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Miami for two years before joining the faculty at Johnson & Wales University in North Miami.