The restaurant is scheduled to open in late 2023.
PUYALLUP RESERVATION, Tacoma, WA —The Puyallup Tribe has partnered with world-renowned restaurateur Chef Roy Yamaguchi to bring his unique international culinary vision to Tacoma in a Northwest Indigenous / internationally inspired restaurant slated to open in 2023.
Roy Yamaguchi is regarded as the creator of Hawaiian fusion cuisine. He has hosted and appeared on a variety of national TV shows including “Top Chef Masters,” “Iron Chef America” and six seasons of “Hawaii Cooks with Roy Yamaguchi.” He also has published three cookbooks. His numerous accolades include the prestigious James Beard Award.
Puyallup Councilman Fred Dillon, Chairman Bill Sterud, Roy Yamaguchi and Councilwoman Anna Bean.
“Chef Yamaguchi’s international culinary vision will bring joy to Tacoma,” said the Puyallup Tribal Council, the Tribe’s governing body. “He is a first-class chef and a first-class person. We are so happy to partner with him on this project.”
The new restaurant will be located in Tacoma on the Tribes waterfront property. The Puyallup Tribe purchased the former restaurant building and its neighbor, The Ram restaurant building, in late 2021 (the Ram continues to operate the restaurant under a lease with the Tribe). The two-story building, with gorgeous views of Commencement Bay, will undergo extensive renovations to prepare it for the vision of this new partnership.
Restaurant concept drawing by artist Gallagher
This restaurant will incorporate Tribal culture in its theme and menu, which will include Tribal seafood and other locally sourced ingredients. Along with being a terrific waterfront restaurant, the project will include culinary arts employment opportunities for Puyallup Tribal Members.
“It is an honor to have the trust of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians as partners in bringing a brand-new restaurant concept to Tacoma,” Roy Yamaguchi said. “I feel a deep responsibility to ensuring that we feature Tribal and local Indigenous ingredients and their culture and style of cooking in this new restaurant.”
The project follows numerous announcements about economic development and diversification going back to 2020, with the opening of its new $400 million Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma in 2020. In 2021, the Tribe announced a partnership with Amazon on a sort center, opened a hotel at the Tribe’s Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, launched BetMGM Sportsbook at EQC and opened a fourth Puyallup Tribe-owned Commencement Bay Cannabis store.
To learn more about Roy Yamaguchi and his culinary vision, visit www.royyamaguchi.com.
About the Puyallup Tribe of Indians
The Puyallup People have lived along the shores of what is now called Puget Sound since time immemorial. The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is a sovereign nation of more than 5,000 members and one of the largest employers in Pierce County. It serves its members and community with generosity and is committed to building a sustainable way of life for future generations. Learn more about the Puyallup Tribe.
About the Puyallup Tribal Council
The Puyallup Tribal Council is the elected governing body of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. The council consists of Chairman Bill Sterud, Vice Chairwoman Sylvia Miller, and Councilmembers Annette Bryan, James Rideout, Anna Bean, Monica Miller and Fred Dillon. Learn more about the Puyallup Tribal Council.
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