DREAM team
O K A
T E P P A N Y A K I
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H O D G K I S O N
Teppanyaki Dream Team BY MICHELLE DRYBURGH
A PA S S I O N F O R F O O D A N D A R E F I N E D E Y E F O R D E TA I L A R E B E H I N D T H E U N I Q U E D I N I N G E X P E R I E N C E A T D A R W I N ’ S N E W E S T R E S T A U R A N T. Oka Teppanyaki combines the skills of Japanese cuisine chef William Young, Jose Jap and their talented team and creative architecture and design by Hodgkison to provide a feast for the senses. Serving up a mix of traditional Japanese cuisine coupled with fun and theatrics, Oka Teppanyaki provides both an authentic and entertaining experience. “Our chefs cook your meal right in front of you, with a focus on quality ingredients, and a bit of fun thrown in too,” says William. Mastering his skills in sushi, Teppanyaki and Japanese cuisine in Melbourne, William left the industry to pursue accounting and real estate in Japan, during which time he picked up more food inspiration for his own ventures. Late last year he decided to leave the corporate world to return to his passion of cooking, opening a sushi and sake bar in Singapore three months ago, followed by Oka Teppanyaki at Parap in April. The name Oka, pronounced ‘ocka’, translates to ‘Peak or Hill’. The nature theme has transpired into both the menu and the
restaurant design with timber flooring and natural timber chairs and tables. Hodgkison architect Robert Schmucker says the aim for the design of Oka Teppanyaki was to create a contemporary restaurant, drawing inspiration from a traditional Japanese palette and emphasis on nature. “Clean white ceilings are contrasted by the darker, environmentally-friendly Jarrah timber flooring, while the 3D contoured feature wall gives a sense of life and is an important backdrop in front of which the Teppanyaki chefs can put on their show.” The key to making the small space feel larger and more airy was maximising the ceiling heights and converting the shopfront to full glass. “We commend Oka Teppanyaki in providing Parap with a unique dining experience.” As well as architecture, Hodgkison provides dynamic and professional project management and interior design. They offer exceptional service and high-quality design solutions for projects throughout remote, urban and regional Australia.
“Our diverse portfolio of work includes projects in the Hospitality, Healthcare, Education, Seniors Living, Corporate Commercial, Retail, Ecclesiastical, Community and Residential sectors.” Since opening an office in Darwin eight years ago, Hodgkison has seen continued growth and is proud to count organisations such as the Northern Territory Government, Power and Water Corporation, Commonwealth Bank, Frontier Services, ARRCS, Police Credit Union, Uniting Church and Oka Group as loyal clients.
DarwinLife Magazine
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