Founder and Chef-Owner Hu began his journey in restaurants at the age of 19 and later trained at New East Cuisine School in Beijing. Gainesville was the first place he lived and studied after coming to the United States, where he attended the University of Florida and formed a lasting connection to the community.

The name Sensei reflects a philosophy of learning, respect, and responsibility — guiding thoughtful cuisine and mindful hospitality, rooted in tradition and expressed through a modern lens.