Career
Cole began his culinary career as a dishwasher at a Japanese restaurant named Kyoto in downtown Austin, Texas. Attrition among the restaurant"s staff gave Cole the opportunity to begin making sushi. He was attending the University of Texas Austin, with interests in painting and architecture.
Cole worked three and a half years at Kyoto, from 1992 to 1996.
Starting in mid-1996, Cole apprenticed for six and a half years under Takehiko Fuse, owner/chef of Musashino Sushi Dokoro in Austin, Texas. Cole also learned Japanese during this stint. Cole later continued his training at the sushi restaurant Bond Street in New York City.
In May 2003, Cole opened Uchi, a 95-seat 2,600 square feet (240 m2) sushi restaurant in Austin. On July 6, 2010, Cole opened his second restaurant, Uchiko (loosely translated meaning "offspring of Uchi") after a three-week soft opening period.
In July 2012, Cole opened his third restaurant, the second location of Uchi in Houston, Texas.
On May 31, 2013, Cole announced the late 2014/early 2015 opening of his fourth restaurant Uchi Dallas. The restaurant opened its doors on June 1, 2015.