Today a TV anchor introduced a man as a "sushi chef." Is this not an oxymoron? Even I could be accorded the appellation since I can cut and serve uncooked fish with suitable aplomb.

No, it's not. Sushi must me cooked. Sushi is "cold rice dressed with vinegar, formed into any of various shapes, and garnished especially with bits of raw seafood or vegetables," and sashimi is "a Japanese dish of thinly sliced raw fish," according to M-W.

Thanks for that info. I have always heard "sushi" used to refer to the fish. In fact, in The Godfather didn't they say Luca Brazzi sleeps with the sushi? Or maybe not. At the very least I'll be careful what I order at a Japanese restaurant.