In September 2021, a rare orange lobster arrived at Nobu Scottsdale in a seafood delivery.
She could have gone straight to dinner service. Instead, the team gave her a name and called OdySea Aquarium.
Bright orange lobsters are often described as a one-in-30-million rarity. Their color makes them striking to humans, but easier to spot in the wild, where most lobsters rely on darker coloring to blend into the ocean floor.
The Nobu Scottsdale team nicknamed her Matsu, meaning “Princess,” and donated her to OdySea Aquarium, where she now lives in the Bizarre & Beautiful gallery.
“Working in the culinary world, we definitely see some interesting things, especially at Nobu, where we take pride in continually offering an element of the unexpected,” said Dereck Shrader, general manager for Nobu Scottsdale. “Even so, having a vibrant orange lobster end up in our kitchen was a big surprise, and knowing how rare such a creature is, we immediately knew we’d find it a home where others could experience its unique beauty. We are thrilled to know our friends at OdySea are taking such good care of this marvel of the ocean; it’s certainly a novelty in the Arizona desert.”
At OdySea, she picked up a second name: Cheddar, a nod to her vivid orange shell and the kind of nickname that could only come from people who spend their days caring for unusual animals.
“I’ll never forget that call. It’s not every day you’re offered a bright orange lobster,” said Dave Peranteau, director of animal care at OdySea Aquarium. “Credit to the team at Nobu for recognizing how rare it was and choosing to give it a second life with us. When it arrived, our team affectionately referred to it as ‘Cheddar’ for its vibrant, cheese-like color. Five years later, Cheddar is thriving and continues to captivate guests in our Bizarre & Beautiful gallery. It’s a striking reminder of the ocean’s surprises and the remarkable range of life beneath the surface.”
These days, Princess Cheddar has settled into aquarium life as the kind of exhibit guests tend to remember. She is rare, unmistakable and backed by the sort of origin story that makes people stop and ask, “Wait, how did she get here?”
For visitors who want to make a day of it, Nobu Scottsdale recently launched weekend brunch, served from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
See the lobster. Stay for brunch. Scottsdale has had stranger itineraries, but not many with this much color.
