Joe Valero
Culture, Craft & Soul
Nestled in the heart of Surry Hills, Nikkei blends Peruvian and Japanese culinary traditions with elegance and depth. They approached us to create a cinematic brand story, one that showcased not just dishes, but the philosophy, heritage, and craft behind them.
We worked closely with head chef Joe Valero, whose personal narrative became the emotional core of the piece. This wasn't just about what was on the plate, it was about why it was there.
Our Creative Direction
From the outset, 618 Media led the storytelling vision. We conducted an intimate sit-down interview with Joe to uncover the “why” behind the menu. His words shaped the entire narrative structure.
Each scene was designed to feel poetic and grounded, lingering macro shots of food textures, natural light washing over ceramic plates, and calm, intentional pacing that mimicked the dining experience.
We blended handheld warmth with static composition, filming during both live service and staged moments for authenticity and aesthetic control.
Project Snapshot
Client: Nikkei - Peruvian - Japanese Restaurant
Project Type: Cinematic Restaurant Promo
Deliverables: 1x Brand Story Video (2 - 3 mins), Social Reels Cut
Location: Surry Hills, Sydney
Role: Creative Direction, Interview, Filming, Editing
The colour grade was kept soft and clean, mirroring the minimalist interior of the restaurant and its refined plating style.
Telling Stories with Soul
Projects like this remind us why we do what we do. At 618 Media, we’re not just here to make things look good, we’re here to capture feeling, philosophy, and the invisible threads that connect people to places, dishes, and ideas.
If you’re a brand with depth, and a story worth telling, we’d love to help you bring it to life.
