Finding your Ikigai with Koj, MasterChef finalist

Mid-life Men: the mental health podcast

In this episode, I talk to Andrew Kojima (better known as Koj), the British, Japanese chef, teacher, and author, about his career shift from finance to food.
After graduating in Classics from Oxford University, Koj stumbled onto the treadmill into finance, where he spent ten years as an investment research analyst. Eventually, in 2012, he seized the opportunity to turn his passion into his profession.

After reaching the final of MasterChef, he undertook a fast-track training program in Michelin-starred kitchens across the UK and Europe before specializing in the cuisine of his father's heritage. As a private chef, he has cooked for the late Queen, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Eddie Redmayne, and many other celebrities. His restaurant won awards and critical acclaim with its pioneering approach to Japanese dining. His book, No Sushi, was published in 2020.
Koj talks about how he transitioned from the world of investment banking, chasing his passion for all things food-related from writing, to teaching to cooking. He talks about the decisions he made along the way, how he managed to still earn an income while investing in his future, and how MasterChef was the real catalyst for his transformation.
Koj talks about the Japanese concept of 'finding your Ikigai', in other words, your 'reason for being,' and how he has found his.
If you want to find out more about Koj, or buy his book 'No Shushi', visit his website: https://www.chefkoj.com.