THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 25, 1995 TAG: 9510240139
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
There's something missing in the Terra Bella Restaurant on Atlantic Avenue.
The noise.
There's a whole different philosophy at work at this new place, featuring Japanese and vegetarian cuisine.
Chef Shigeru Kanai practices what is called a ``quiet'' form of cooking. That means no meats, usually no dairy products and no machines. All of his chopping, blending and mixing is done by hand.
And Kanai, who started cooking 52 years ago when he was 6 because his mother was sick, uses his peaceful time in the kitchen well. He meditates.
Name: Shigeru Kanai.
Hometown: Sendai City, Japan.
What brought you to the Beach? An invitation from Paul Solomon to the Fellowship Church's family gathering in 1988.
Birthdate: April 26, 1937.
Occupation: Buddhist priest, the seventh grandmaster of Gojuryu Karate, temple chef and co-owner and chef of Terra Bella Restaurant.
Nickname: As a young boy, I frequently escaped school and went to the mountains so I was called Mountain Monkey.
Marital status: Married to Yoriko Kanai.
Children: Two daughters, Yumi, 29, and Miki, 20.
What is your idea of a perfect day off? Spending the day walking in the woods enjoying Mother Nature and bike riding along the oceanfront with my partner, Regina.
Last smart thing you did: Opened Terra Bella Restaurant.
Last dumb thing you did: Opened Terra Bella Restaurant.
Favorite meal: Too many favorites to mention, but I'll try - steamed brown rice, buckwheat soba noodles, fresh grilled herring and sardines, tofu, fresh daikon, seaweed and miso soup.
Favorite movies: I love old-fashioned movies. My favorites are ``Roman Holiday'' with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn, ``Picnic'' with William Holden and Kim Novak and ``Sabrina'' with Humphrey Bogart, William Holden and Audrey Hepburn.
Favorite song: Theme songs from ``Love Is a Many Splendored Thing'' and ``The River of No Return.''
Last book read: The Bible.
Hobbies: I enjoy feeding many wild cats, raccoons and birds every day. I love crabbing at 64th Street. Unfortunately, the number of crabs is getting less and less each year.
Secret vice: Lots of coffee ice cream very late at night.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My height.
If you could change one thing about your spouse, what would it be? Changes will happen only when the self is ready.
Favorite restaurant: Terra Bella, of course.
Your favorite night on the town: Relaxing at home, feeding and watching my wild friends eating and playing together.
Favorite TV shows: I don't watch TV shows.
Favorite sport: Karate and snow skiing.
Last vacation: Quebec City, Canada. I especially enjoyed listening to the street musicians from the Andes mountains.
Worst job: Many years ago, I worked in an aluminum plant where there was very high voltage. It was very hot and I had to change clothes three to four times a day to avoid electrocution.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Meeting my mentor and teacher, 88-year-old Tamo san. I help spread her beautiful message - respect all living things. All things are the light of cosmic wisdom, so please walk softly on this earth.
What would you like as your epitaph? My life was an adventure. I followed it with one expectation - that all humans shine with all things. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH
by CNB