TOKYO STYLE

If fate had twisted in a different direction, people might be watching Tsubasa Tamaki on TV or in the movies.

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What: Pizza Studio Tamaki Singapore (opens on June 10)

Where: 38 Tanjong Pagar Road

Open: 11am to 3pm, 5 to 11pm (Mondays to Fridays), 11am to 3pm, 5pm to midnight (Saturdays and Sundays)

Info: @pst.singapore (Instagram)

The 45-year-old became a pizzaiolo instead, developing a style of pizza that is all Tokyo – a light crust with a moderately puffy rim, and pies topped with seasonal ingredients, many of which are sourced from Japan.

Originally from Okinawa, Tamaki went to Tokyo at age 20. His cousin was an actor there, and he wanted to break into show business too. To support himself, he had a slew of part-time jobs – as a plumber, delivery man, bento box cook and delivery man, tuna salesman – and he worked at Italian restaurants, including a pizzeria.

“I had so many jobs,” he says through a translator. “The pizza restaurant was where I had the most fun.”

At the time, he says, there were just two artisanal pizza brands – Savoy and Seirinkan.

Chef Tamaki says: “It was a niche market. To be a top chef in Tokyo is impossible. So, why not do pizza? It was easier to get into the market.”