Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Tonya Papanikolas Reporting For many of us, our first job wasn't something we'd want to do for very long. But a 16-year-old South Jordan girl is enjoying her experience, even if it is a "raw deal."
For a 16-year-old, Heather Scott has a pretty cool job.
Heather Scott: "It's a lot more interesting than most jobs people have."
Heather is apprenticing as a sushi chef at Harry's restaurant in South Jordan. She spends her days rolling raw fish into seaweed paper.
Heather Scott, Sushi Chef Apprentice: "Connect roll and California roll are probably the two most popular. Those are the two I have to make the most."
Heather started at the restaurant doing prep work, but when she found that boring, her dad -- who just happens to be the executive chef -- let her help make sushi in the kitchen.
Heather Scott: "At first it was kind of like, 'Oooooh, raw fish!' But now, just whatever."
Bill Scott, Harry's Executive Chef: "I was very amazed that she picked it up so easily. I still struggle with it and she makes it look really easy."
Soon Heather was learning the tricks of the trade, like wetting the rice.
Heather Scott: "The water just helps the rice stay off your hands and more on the paper."
And tightening the rolls up with bamboo mats. She even fries the dishes in tempura batter. Her dad says she's definitely fine-tuning her craft.
Bill Scott: "She kind of shows me little tricks on the sushi."
Plus, she's gotten a lot faster!
Heather Scott: "It used to take me like four hours to do what I do now in like two hours."
As much as Heather makes sushi, she says she never samples her handiwork.
Heather Scott: "I don't like sushi. I don't like seafood."
But she doesn't mind working with it, even when it comes to fish eggs!
Heather Scott: "Those are actually my favorite things, 'cause you can press on them and they like, pop! It feels cool."
It seems the customers like her final product. The restaurant sells up to 1,000 sushi rolls a month, serving Heather with some great experience. There's nothing fishy about that!
Heather is in a work release program at school that allows her to leave in the afternoon. She says she also enjoys garnishing plates to make them look artistic.
