Kenta Kamo

Chef Kenta Kamo’s culinary story is rooted in his family heritage, travel, and a life-long love for Japanese cuisine. Raised between Baton Rouge and Japan’s Tokyo/Saitama region, Kamo grew up immersed in two vibrant culinary worlds, each shaping his appreciation for the role food plays in bringing people together. His earliest influences came from shared meals and the comforting flavors of home cooking, sparking a lifelong connection to Japanese food and its philosophies of simplicity and high-quality ingredients.

Though he began his professional journey studying finance at Louisiana State University, Kamo soon discovered that a traditional office career was not his desired path. After graduating, he traveled the world, immersing himself in global cultures and cuisines. Throughout his travels, he discovered his passion for honoring his heritage and sharing the flavors of Japan with the American palate.

Culinary Career:

Kamo began his culinary career in Japan, spending four years at a ski resort hotel in Nagano and refining his skills in various Tokyo izakayas, progressing quickly from dishwasher to accomplished chef. These formative experiences instilled discipline, refined technique, and a deep respect for traditional food philosophies, while inspiring his love for Japanese izakayas and the dream of opening his own in the U.S.

After relocating to Denver in 2014, Kamo worked his way up to Executive Chef at OTOTO, where he helped earn Westword and 5280 Magazine honors for Best Japanese Restaurant in 2018 and 2019. In partnership with Toshi Kizaki—founder of five of Denver’s most acclaimed Japanese restaurants, including Sushi Den, Izakaya Den, OTOTO, and Kizaki—Kamo opened Temaki Den in 2020. In 2025, he was recognized as a Chef-of-the-Year finalist by the Colorado Restaurant Association’s HOSPY Awards. Today, as Managing Partner and Executive Chef of the Michelin-recommended Temaki Den, he continues to solidify his reputation as one of Denver’s leading culinary talents.

With unwavering dedication, cultural insight, and a mastery of Japanese cuisine, Chef Kamo continues to shape Denver’s understanding of Japanese food.

Make Chef Kenta Kamo’s Temaki Spread.

Temaki Den

Located inside The Source Market Hall in Denver’s RiNo Art District, Temaki Den blends Japanese culinary tradition with modern creativity, brought to life by renowned chefs Kenta Kamo and Toshi Kizaki. Building on Kamo’s mastery of traditional Japanese cuisine and Kizaki’s enduring legacy (Sushi Den est. 1984), the restaurant reimagines the American sushi bar while honoring philosophies of simplicity, quality, and precision.

Temaki Den features signature cylindrical hand rolls and aburi-style flame-seared nigiri, each crafted to showcase the delicate balance of rice, nori, and neta. The highly acclaimed Denver favorite embraces kodawari, the relentless pursuit of perfection, ensuring every ingredient and technique is thoughtfully considered and precisely executed.

With artistry, innovation, and respect for tradition at its core, Temaki Den delivers a sushi experience that is both approachable and extraordinary, turning every visit into a celebration of flavor, craft, and culture.

3350 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO
www.temakiden.com
@temakiden

Food and beverage photography provided by Temaki Den.