Rocky Aoki | Benihana founder, 69

Rocky Aoki, 69, who sought to offer diners a sense of magic and entertainment at his Japanese steak house, Benihana, died of complications from cancer Thursday in New York.

Mr. Aoki opened his first restaurant in New York in 1964, naming it Benihana, which means "red flower" - the name of his parents' coffee shop in Japan.

The restaurant was designed to look like the inside of a Japanese farmhouse, and food was prepared teppan-yaki style at the table on a steel grill, where specially trained chefs performed knife tricks while cooking shrimp, steak and chicken.

The Benihana empire has grown to 5,000 employees and more than 100 restaurants worldwide.

Born Hiroaki Aoki, he worked in the family restaurant in Japan, and wanted to offer diners "something out of the ordinary" with their food.

Mr. Aoki held a spot on the Japanese Olympic wrestling team, which eventually brought him to America. He served ice cream by day and studied restaurant management at night, dreaming of opening a restaurant that would blend entertainment and food.

Mr. Aoki was an avid balloonist and backgammon player. Relatives said he crossed the Pacific Ocean in a balloon with his Double Eagle V crew in 1981. - AP