Hey! So nice to speak with you! Can you tell our readers a little bit more about yourself? Where are you originally from and where do you live now?

Hey Michael, great to meet you too! I'm Daniel Siriban, and I'm the owner and head chef behind Roshi Experience. I've been in the culinary world for over 20 years now, but I never really set out thinking I'd end up running my own private dining company. I'm based here in Southern California, and honestly, I couldn't imagine doing this anywhere else. We serve everywhere from Malibu down to San Clemente, out to Palm Springs, and all through Orange County.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now?

You know what I absolutely love about Southern California? The diversity of people and experiences I get to be part of every single day. One night I might be in a beachfront home in Malibu preparing an intimate omakase for a couple celebrating their anniversary, and the next day I could be in Rancho Santa Margarita creating a fun, interactive sushi experience for a family with kids who've never tried sushi before.

Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?

Roshi Experience is all about bringing authentic Japanese dining straight to people's homes - think of it as having your own personal sushi chef and the intimacy of a high-end restaurant, but in YOUR dining room. We started back in 2020 during the pandemic when everything shut down, and honestly, it was born out of necessity but grew into something I'm incredibly passionate about. Whether it's an intimate dinner for 8 or a celebration for 30 people, we bring everything - the expertise, the premium ingredients, even the beautiful presentation with our Japanese-inspired plating.

What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won’t forget about?

I had this family in Rancho Palos Verdes - it was a grandmother's 80th birthday, and her granddaughter had booked our service because grandma had always talked about wanting to try "real" sushi but was too intimidated to go to a restaurant. After the dinner, her granddaughter pulled me aside and said, "You have no idea what you just did. Grandma has been talking about this for months, but she was too scared to try it anywhere else. Tonight, you didn't just feed her, you gave her confidence." That feedback reminded me why I love doing this in people's homes instead of a restaurant. It's so much more personal and meaningful.

If someone wants to start a business, what's advice that will help them?

Man, if I could go back and tell myself one thing before starting Roshi Experience, it would be this: start before you think you're ready. I spent years working for other people, thinking I needed to have everything figured out first - the perfect business plan, tons of savings, all the systems in place. But honestly, COVID forced my hand, and that's when I realized you learn by doing, not by planning.

Where do you see your company in the future?

The biggest thing I'm working toward is being able to handle multiple events in a single day without compromising quality. We've got the demand, but I need the systems and team capacity to match it. I also want to develop more seasonal menus and maybe even create some signature experiences that become legendary in the private dining world.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

People think it's all about the food. Don't get me wrong, the sushi has to be perfect, but what we're really doing is creating an experience, a memory. We're bringing theater, education, and genuine connection to your dining room. It's that whole Omotenashi philosophy - we're not just feeding you, we're anticipating what will make your evening unforgettable. That's something you just can't get from ordering takeout or even going to most restaurants.

What has been one of your biggest struggle building your business and how did you deal with it?

When COVID hit and I started Roshi Experience, it was just me doing everything - cooking, booking, customer service, sourcing ingredients, you name it. That worked fine when we were doing a few events a month, but as demand grew, I hit this wall where I literally couldn't be everywhere at once. The real wake-up call came when I had to turn down bookings because I was already committed, so I brought in Cheloh as my personal VA to handle admin work and booking, then Fel for bookkeeping.

What was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

Growing up, I was always drawn to Stevie Wonder. I’d have his records spinning constantly, and it’s still the kind of sound that grounds me in the kitchen today. As for sports, it was definitely Michael Jordan. Watching him play wasn’t just about basketball; it was about discipline, creativity, and showing up at your best. In a way, he felt like a real-life superhero, which probably explains why I connected with him as much as I did with the Marvel world.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

First and foremost, I have to give a huge shoutout to my wife Rina, and my kids, Lincoln and Kennedy! This is all for you. To Cheloh, my VA who keeps everything running smoothly, and Fel, who handles all the bookkeeping work that honestly used to drive me crazy. My contractor chefs deserve massive recognition too - Zico, Randolph, Joshua, Lex, Milly, Victor, and Javier. And honestly, every single client who's trusted us to come into their home and create something special - you guys are the reason I wake up excited to do this every day.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

The best place to start is our website at www.roshiexperience.com - that's where you can see our full menu options, check out photos from recent events, and book an experience if you're in Southern California. For the behind-the-scenes stuff and to see what we're up to day-to-day, definitely follow us on Instagram @roshiexperience. That's where I share the real moments - the setup process, client reactions, and honestly just the fun parts of what we do. You'll get a genuine feel for our vibe and the kind of experiences we create.