She’s not Asian or from a cosmopolitan city with a sushi cafe on every block. She’s not even male, which is usually the case for a sushi chef. But, Starkville native Marisa Baggett is making a name for herself, along with a reputation increasing in worth across the world of fine foods.

Baggett is quickly becoming known as one of the premier sushi chefs in the South. Trained at the renowned California Sushi Academy in Los Angeles, she has combined the history, art, and culture of Asian cuisines, especially sushi, with her native Mississippi roots, creating unique recipes and edible works of art.

“Japanese cuisine is so beautiful,” Baggett said. “The presentation and philosophy behind it.”

Growing up with her father who is a civil engineer and her mother who is on staff at Mississippi State University, she knew dreams can come true. But her dreams were different.

“I didn’t get a lot of encouragement,” she said with a bright smile. So, with well wishes along with their doubts from her parents and $300 in her pocket, she hopped onto a Greyhound bus and left for California.

The money didn’t last long in the Los Angeles economy. Still, Baggett refused to lose her dream.

“I ended up somewhat homeless for a while. I had to do this,” she said. “I finally called home and asked for the money to go back home.”

Baggett wasn’t forced to return to Mississippi, however. Her parents said they will assist her in completing her training. Then, more good news. The school didn’t require immediate payment for tuition and fees because she was such a great student.

After graduation, she realized her dream by working at a sushi cafe in Memphis. She eventually ventured out to teaching classes, which is what takes her to communities across the region. She recently taught classes at Laurel’s Commerce Street Market.

“That’s really where I’m headed,” Baggett said. “I want to teach people about sushi and the culture behind it. A lot of people don’t know about sushi. Sushi is such a great cuisine.”