Today I'd like to share some work I did a while ago as I also work as a radio scriptwriter.
So, who exactly is the "I" in this story about wine?
"Hey, where are you going?"
I answered my father's question as I put on my shoes in the entranceway.
"Since we've come all the way to the countryside, we should go and catch some bugs."
My family just moved from Tokyo to Sagamihara in Kanagawa Prefecture, and I hurried into the forest with a bug trap dangling from my neck.
"Yay, I caught a rare grasshopper!"
At that time, my dream was to become an entomologist, and I poured all my passion into observing insects.
"After all, it's more fun to go into the forest and see all kinds of insects than just looking at them in an illustrated book.
Ah, by the way, the forest sure smells nice."
Linden trees, oak trees, young grass.
Strawberries, roses, violets, ferns.
Little did I realize that the smell of the Sagamihara forest would have such a major impact on my life later on.
When I was a second year high school student.
The experience I had working part-time at a seaside snack bar during my summer vacation determined the course of my life.
While I was working alone at the store, an elderly female customer came into the shop.
"I'm hungry. Can you make me something?"
I was very anxious inside.
What should I do? I've never cooked anything to serve to guests before.
But I'm the only one in this restaurant. I have no choice but to do it.
I went into the kitchen and fried the prepared spaghetti with ketchup.
Because I tasted it so many times, the amount of spaghetti in the end was much less than I had at first.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Here's spaghetti Napolitana."
With trembling hands, I handed her the plate. I swallowed and watched as the woman brought the spaghetti to her mouth with her fork.
"I wonder if it's okay..."
The woman then said,
"delicious."
Before she knew it, the woman had finished eating the spaghetti. She said with a big smile.
"It tasted really good. Thank you!"
I gave a little fist pump under the counter.
As I left the store, the woman turned around and said again.
"Thank you."
This experience motivated me.
I get paid and people say thank you. The restaurant business is an amazing job!
This was my opportunity to dive into the world of food and drink, where I came across specialized books on wine.
「Huh? Scents are expressed using plants and fruits, right?
Linden trees, oak trees, young grass. Raspberries, roses, violets, ferns...
...Wait a minute, isn't this the forest in Sagamihara?
I can clearly picture the scent of each one!
It felt like wine and the forests of Sagamihara were directly connected in my mind.
At that moment, I decided to pour all my passion into wine.
Yes, just like when I was a boy and all my passion was focused on insects.
It was 20 years later that I became the first Japanese to win the World's Best Sommelier Competition.
So, who am I?
This is an expanded and revised version of a story that aired on Nippon Broadcasting System about two years ago.
Please do not write your answer in the comments section of social media as it will become boring for readers.
If you're a wine lover, then yes, you're the right person!
If you're not sure what to say, just search for "President of the Japan Sommelier Association" and you'll find it.
