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Japanese flavors highlighted this weekend

Whitney McKnight

19 Jan 2025 — 1 min read

Rev. Kent Gilbert pours tea at his Japanese-themed Year of the Dragon 60th birthday party at the Berea Arts Council building. Photo credit: Whitney McKnight

Hello,

This weekend’s Seen and Heard has a distinctly Japanese flavor to it. At Rev. Kent Gilbert’s 60th birthday party, held at the Berea Arts Council Building Saturday afternoon, Japanese fare was featured, including dumplings with sauce, seaweed merengues, a range of Japanese candies, and a variety of high end, loose leaf teas.

An elegant Japanese spread at the Berea Arts Council. Photo credit: Whitney McKnight

Rev. Kent Gilbert and friends at his birthday party, Berea Arts Council. Photo credit: Whitney McKnight

Staff of Yamato, with Abdul Hadi, the retiring Hibachi chef, third from the left. Photo credit: Mayra Thompson

And, Yamato Hibachi chef, Abdul Hadi, said goodbye to his fellow workers at the popular Japanese restaurant during a party held in his honor on Friday night. Hadi is putting down his knives after 8 years of delighting Yamato patrons, according to Mayra Thompson, manager of the restaurant’s Berea location.

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Update: Hibachi chef Abdul Hadi’s name was updated with his first name at 6:47pm on January 19, 2025.