Trevor Corson, “The Lobster Sex Guy” and America’s only “Sushi Concierge,” spent two years studying philosophy in China, another three years in Japan living in temples and studying Buddhism, and two more years working as a commercial fisherman off the Maine coast before becoming a best-selling author. He has been an award-winning magazine editor and has written on a wide variety of topics for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe, and the Atlantic Monthly, where his first book, The Secret Life of Lobsters, began as an essay that was included in The Best American Science Writing. The Secret Life of Lobsters was named a best nature book of the year by USA Today and Discover, a best book of the year by Time Out New York, and went on to become a worldwide best-seller in the popular-science category.
Corson’s second book, The Story of Sushi: An Unlikely Saga of Raw Fish and Rice (originally titled The Zen of Fish), was selected as an Editors’ Choice by the New York Times Book Review; was named “Best American Food Literature Book” of 2007 in the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards and was selected as a Best Food Book of the Year by the Zagat Survey. Corson and his work have been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, ABC World News with Charles Gibson, NPR’s All Things Considered and Talk of the Nation, as well as numerous local television and radio programs. He appears on the Food Network’s hit TV show Iron Chef America and occasionally performs amateur stand-up comedy.
Corson is a serious scholar, writer, and public speaker, but he believes that learning should be fun. That is why he puts his obsessions with quirky science and seafood to use to entertain audiences while educating them. He speaks around the in educational, institutional, and corporate settings, sharing fascinating facts of marine biology, surprising tales of food history, and practical tips for sustainable and authentic eating so that we can preserve our oceans for the future. As a “Sushi Concierge,” Corson also hosts extraordinary dining events that entertain and enlighten, transforming the participants into knowledgeable and sophisticated connoisseurs of Japanese cuisine.
Corson lives in New York City.
Praise for Trevor Corson:
“Trevor Corson is a superb speaker whose thorough knowledge about his subject was complemented by his witty and authoritative style of delivery. He’s a true professional, wonderful to work with, able to handle anything thrown his way, and we look forward to working with him again.”
—Greg McGruder, Vice President, National Geographic Live! & Museum, National Geographic Society
“As our keynote speaker, Trevor Corson kept more than 300 fidgety high school students, their teachers, and university faculty engrossed with his engaging and informative presentation. He was the perfect speaker – I heard directly from teachers and students that the students were talking about his presentation for the rest of the school year.”
—Robert Rocha, President-elect Massachusetts Marine Educators Association
“Fun, erudite, and fascinating, Trevor Corson gave a wonderful talk. He informed us on compelling facts and tickled our funny bone. He is a must-have speaker.”
—The Woman’s Club, Richmond, Virginia
“Trevor Corson’s mastery of sushi is extraordinary. He is an engaging, lively, and funny storyteller who brings the history and flavors of sushi to life. Trevor’s years of research and writing about sushi make him the perfect Western ambassador into the secretive Japanese arts of cuisine and culture. Our guests loved him; we can’t wait to do it again.”
—John Shakow, King & Spaulding, LLP
“As we cautiously eyed at each other in the entrance to the sushi restaurant we wondered, ‘Are you here to eat sushi with Trevor Corson, too?’ As we introduced ourselves in the private tatami room, we learned that we ranged from those who felt helpless when ordering sushi to serious aficionados. Two hours later we had eaten our way through a thoughtfully chosen progression of succulent morsels, we had practiced good sushi etiquette, and had learned a tremendous amount. The laughter was completely unexpected – Trevor has a way of telling stories and encouraging others that led to a hilarious and memorable evening. When we left we felt like good friends who were now prepared to face a sushi menu with confidence. But it wouldn’t be the same without Trevor.”
—Peggy Hogan, Slow Food Boston
“Trevor’s humorous and entertaining style kept our guests rapt and made our ‘Sushi Secrets’ event a success.”
—Liseann Gouin, President, Japan America Society of Greater Detroit
“Trevor Corson’s keynote address at our conference generated nothing but positive feedback. He was able to both entertain and send a message about sustainability.”
—Jason Vokoun, Assistant Professor of Fisheries, University of Connecticut