Chef Masaharu Morimoto released a touching statement via Instagram today asking for the community’s help on behalf of restaurant employees everywhere.

Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

Holding back tears, the master of Japanese cuisine thanked his team members and publicly asked the nation for their support.

Chef Morimoto rose to culinary stardom on the hit competitive cooking show, Iron Chef, which was filmed in his native country of Japan. The Food Network later launched Iron Chef America, bringing the Iron Chef to the U.S. where he opened several restaurants including two locations in Disney Springs.

View of Morimoto Asia from STK Orlando in Disney Springs

In his touching statement, Chef Morimoto said the restaurant industry’s workforce is made up of more than 50 million people in the U.S., many who are struggling right now. While he believes that closing your businesses is the right thing to do at this moment, the majority of these employees cannot survive without work.

Morimoto Street Food

Morimoto concluded, “Please continue to support your local businesses where you can. Together we’ll get through this and we look forward to seeing all of our guests again soon.”

Thank you, Chef Morimoto, for your kind words and call to action on behalf of our many friends and family affected by this crisis. Together, we WILL get through this.

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How are you supporting your local businesses during this time? Let us know in the comments!