Toshio Takaya, the man who once cooked privately for Michael Jackson, is now 76, and instead of preparing meals for the King of Pop, he dedicates his culinary gifts to children and the elderly in his local community in Ibaraki, Japan.
Takaya’s unexpected connection to Michael began in autumn 1987. Then the executive chef at a Karuizawa hotel in Nagano Prefecture, he was suddenly asked to step in as Jackson’s personal chef after the superstar’s regular cook abruptly quit mid-tour. Though Takaya admittedly knew little about MJ at the time, he was hired on the spot — and quickly impressed the singer with a tofu hamburger that became a fast favorite.
For nearly a month, Takaya worked closely with Michael, preparing meals and even joining in on playful moments. In one memorable episode, Michael asked him to put on a stage costume and wave from a hotel window. Fans outside erupted in excitement, mistaking the chef for the real MJ as they screamed up toward the building.
Takaya returned for Jackson’s Japan tour the following year, but declined invitations to travel with him overseas, finding the lifestyle too demanding.
Back home in Ushiku, Ibaraki, Takaya ran a small izakaya pub for many years. When his wife passed away about 15 years ago, he closed the business — and soon after found himself at a Tokyo children’s home that Michael had also visited. That moment became a turning point. Inspired by the facility and its young residents, Takaya discovered a new mission: using food to support those in need.
He began cooking school lunches, teaching kids simple recipes, and volunteering at a local community kitchen. Today, once a month, he prepares generous meals like curry and yakisoba for children and seniors who rely on the service.
Takaya still carries a business card that proudly reads “Former Personal Chef to Michael Jackson.” But his heart is firmly set on giving back. Any fees he earns from TV appearances or lectures are donated to the same Tokyo children’s home that sparked his renewed purpose — a quiet legacy that echoes the spirit of compassion Michael himself often shared.
AloJapan.com