Mère de Thomas, known in the original Japanese as Noriko Ajiyoshi, is the mother of the protagonist Youichi Ajiyoshi (Thomas Agosti in the French adaptation) and the co-owner of the Hinode Eatery, a modest family-run restaurant in a Tokyo working-class neighborhood. After the death of her husband, she took on the responsibility of running the establishment alongside her son. Although she handles the front-of-house duties such as greeting customers and serving meals, she entrusts the cooking entirely to Youichi, recognizing his exceptional talent early on. Her personality is warm, cheerful, and patient; she provides a stable and loving home environment that allows Youichi to focus on his culinary pursuits. She often offers simple but insightful advice that sparks ideas for Youichi's dishes, demonstrating that her understanding of food and hospitality runs deeper than her hands‑on role might suggest. Her primary motivation is to support her son’s growth as a chef while keeping the family restaurant thriving and true to its roots. In the story, she serves as a grounding presence, contrasting with the high‑stakes competitions and larger‑than‑life characters Youichi encounters. Her key relationship is with Youichi, whom she encourages without ever pressuring him; she also interacts warmly with his friends and rivals, especially the young assistant Mitsuko Yamooka and her brother Shigeru. While she does not undergo significant personal development, her steadfastness and belief in Youichi’s abilities remain constant throughout the series. Her most notable ability is her quiet wisdom about customer service and the emotional value of home‑cooked meals, which occasionally proves crucial in helping Youichi overcome culinary challenges.