Creating a fine dish to go along with the special time of the guests. He welcomes his guests by cooking dishes with his heart

Mr. Takeuchi was born in 1973 in Kagoshima. In his elementary school graduation essay, he wrote that he dreamed of becoming a chef. He studied cooking at the culinary department of Kagoshima Josei High School. After graduating, he began working in Osaka and returned to Kagoshima after several years. At Kagoshima, he trained at two hotels and became the head chef for Western food at the second hotel. At the age of 39, he started working at Kagoshima Karen. Now he is in his 3rd year as head chef at the Karen Hakata Branch. He prepares each dish with all his heart to please his customers.

The experienced chef, who was trained in an eel wholesaler, became the 6th owner of a well established restaurant at the age of 30.

Born in Tokyo in 1967. When he was a primary school pupil, he became conscious of succeeding the restaurant as the 6th generation owner. When he was a university student, the 5th generation owner passed away. He helped the family business, and entered the restaurant right after the graduation. Leaving the grilled dishes to other veteran cook, he worked every morning for an eel wholesaler while assisting the restaurant. In about 2 years of training, he acquired skills to select and dress eels. At the age of 30, he became in charge of grilled dishes. He is currently maintaining the traditional taste of the long-established restaurant as the 6th generation owner.

Mr. Tamoto serves Japanese cuisine that is rooted in himself as his identity.

He was born in 1996 in Fukuoka. After graduating from high school, he moved to Kyoto to pursue a career in Japanese cuisine. After three years of training at a famous ryotei restaurant, he moved his base to Tokyo in 2017. He continued his studies at several restaurants and served as a personal chef for VIP clients from Japan and abroad in 2023. In 2024, he was appointed as the head chef of Ginza Yukari. His memories of Japanese cuisine, such as flavoring and seasonings, were deeply accumulated while growing up. The nostalgia for the deliciousness of Japanese cuisine is a source of pride for him as a Japanese chef, with which he continues to work hard every day.

Mr. Takechi provides many people a happy time with "deliciousness" created by his skills.

He was born in 1986 in Osaka. With a desire to please others, he decided to pursue a career in the culinary field, obtaining a cooking license while still in high school. His first job after culinary school was Italian, which is the opposite of sushi. After that, he experienced different types of food to learn more about different cuisines. He felt sushi was the simplest way to enjoy food, so he now works as a sushi chef.

Mr. Shiroma is devoted to sushi. He shows the new charm of sushi courses with skilled techniques and flexible creativity. 

Mr. Shiroma was born in 1979 in Okinawa. Head chef of Sushi Shiroma. As a child, he frequented a sushi restaurant with his family. As a result, he was exposed to sophisticated sushi chefs, inspiring him to become a sushi chef. At 18, he moved to Aichi and dedicated many years to honing his skills at a sushi restaurant in Nagoya City. After working as the head chef at a renowned restaurant, he founded his current restaurant in April 2023. He devised a new approach to his courses, focusing on exquisite hand-formed sushi and appetizers that show his seasoned skills and the addition of unique dishes prepared through "charcoal grilling." From Nagoya, he introduces new delights and possibilities for sushi courses.

Mr. Hirayama is a culinary professional who conveys happiness through food.

He was born in 1991 in Saga. Since childhood, he has excelled at detailed work and has found happiness in seeing the joy on people's faces. He found himself naturally becoming a chef. He gained extensive experience as a chef in Kyoto and Tokyo, where he also worked as an executive chef. With this experience, he now opens Takanawa Shinzan. Presenting dishes with attention to detail, he attracts guests to visit in both quality and taste.

Mr. Arita wants to convey the appeal of Edomae Sushi, which gives a sense of Japan's culinary culture.

He was born in Tokyo. Growing up watching his father, a sushi chef, he learned the essence of Edomae sushi and decided that he would follow the same path in the future. He trained at a sushi restaurant after working in the field of music, as he wanted to do what he loved to do and then pursue his career without any regrets. Currently, he is working at Sushi Yakushidou, which opened in April 2022. His carefully prepared nigiri (hand-formed sushi) attracts many guests.

Mr. Otake is a chef who takes ingredients seriously and conveys the happiness of food.

He was born in 1963 in Aichi. Since childhood, he has loved "making things" and chose the culinary world because he wanted to become an expert. After graduating from high school, he started his training as a chef. He has experience in various genres, including Japanese restaurants, Western restaurants, and hotels. He is currently working at Obanzai Kappo Minoru. With a wealth of knowledge about ingredients that comes from years of experience, he is a chef who approaches ingredients with sincerity and delivers the happiness of eating.

Mr. Mitsuno takes over the skills and will of his predecessor as a professional sushi chef.

He was born in 1976 in Fukuoka. He longs for a job as an artisan who creates something on his own. Because of his love of fish dishes, he decided to become a chef. After gaining experience as a Japanese chef, he was involved in launching "Sushi Katsurada" with the previous owner, Mr. Katsurada, when he was 30 years old. Having worked there for 10 years, he moved to the kappo counter restaurant of a members-only hotel and gained experience as head chef. Upon Mr. Katsurada's retirement, he renamed the restaurant "Nidaime Sushi Katsurada" and took over the post.

His efforts and fate have led Mr. Yamamoto to build a career as a chef.

Mr. Yamamoto was born in 1989 in Kyoto. An acquaintance invited him to enter the world of chefs. He worked in hotel operations for about two and a half years, learning the basics of customer service and hospitality. After that, he became increasingly attracted to cooking, and his desire to make delicious food with his hands grew stronger. Amid such a situation, he had an opportunity to join Kyoto Stand Kiyokiyo Kiyamachi Main Branch. Currently, he is developing his cooking knowledge further while improving his handling of ingredients and cooking techniques.

Keeps the traditional taste of the old-established unagi (eel) restaurant passed down from grandfather and father.

He was born in 1972 in Osaka. Though his grandfather wanted him to succeed the old-established restaurant [Daimi] that was founded in 1912, he rebelled against it and went to the US to enter a university. In the US, though, he realized the wonderful parts of Japan and his family business and decided to succeed the restaurant. Unfortunately the restaurant was closed down due to financial difficulties, so he restarted from wholesaling eels in a small space at a fish shop. This business went well and was able to expand to have its own eel shop. In 2016, he finally opened [Unagi Jinta] on the second floor of the eel shop. He is currently keeping the traditional taste of his family based on the recipe of his grandfather and father.

For that single word "delicious", Mr Ozaki carefully grills the pork every day.

He was born in 1983 in Hokkaido. In 2010, he entered Tokachi Butadon Ippin. After gaining experience in all the branches, he became the manager of the Chitose branch, which opened in November 2024. His earnest and honest personality and solid skills are his charms. Because he wants his guests to enjoy the aroma of grilled pork, he is conscious of cooking carefully when he is in the kitchen. Although the use of charcoal fire increases the difficulty of cooking, he gives his best effort every day to hear his guests say, "It's delicious."

He started as a chef and his career carried him into management.

He remembers how moving it is to see delighted diners who came all the way out to taste his cooking enjoy the meals he set out for them!

 

Mr. Iwasaki was born on January 1, 1984 in Ishikawa. After graduating from high school, he started his life as a chef at Yamashiro Onsen Ryokan in Kaga, Ishikawa. Then, he worked at the Japanese restaurant "Shibazakura" in Prince Hotel Park Tower Tokyo. During his time there, he won first place twice in the Japanese cuisine category of a cooking competition in which chefs from Prince Hotels nationwide competed for the best chefs. After working at several Japanese restaurants, he opened Kappo Ichika in July 2015. He is pursuing dishes that will surprise and impress his guests.

Inspired by a sushi chef during elementary school, Mr. Fukusato aspired to become a sushi chef and continues to hone his skills daily.

He was born in 1979 in Tokyo. In elementary school, he visited a sushi restaurant with his family. He was fascinated by the sight of sushi chefs making sushi and aspired to become a sushi chef himself. At 17, he began training as a sushi chef at Tsukiji Sushiko. Afterward, he honed his skills by working at various sushi restaurants throughout Tokyo. Finally, he joined Shutoku in 2012. Currently, he serves as the manager of Shutoku 2nd Branch, where he continues to uphold the taste of this renowned restaurant.

[Doikatsuman] Chef's skill and spirit learned at the main branch.

Mr. Kanatani was born in 1991 in Kyoto. He was attracted by the spirit of Mr. Doi Katsunagi Eel, the owner-chef of Doikatsuman, so he entered the head restaurant as one of the chefs. Through his daily training, he inherited the technique of charcoal-grilled eel, which makes the thick eel fluffy, and the passion of the chefs who have been delighting people with delicious eel. Then, the Kinkakuji Branch, the third branch of the restaurant, was opened. He is currently the owner and chef of the Kinkakuji Branch.

Born into a family of chefs, Mr. Muraki honed his skills from the age 15 to pursue a career as a sushi chef.

He was born in 1985 in Chiba. Growing up in an environment where many family members and relatives were chefs, he became familiar with cooking from a young age. He began his apprenticeship in Japanese cuisine at the age of 15. After his early years in Ueno and Kinshicho, he honed his skills in various sushi restaurants across Tokyo, including Roppongi, Ginza, Akasaka, and Ebisu. Since April 2019, he has been performing his expert skills at the newly opened Ku-kai. He is known for meticulous work and thoughtful customer service.

Raised in an environment with eel around him from birth, he handles them earnestly as a chef.

Born in 1973 in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka. Eldest son of Shigeyoshi Fujita, 3rd generation owner of [Unagi Fujita]. Entered the restaurant world immediately after graduating high school. Worked as a manager in a large-scale restaurant with 300 seats and 100 staff members. Built up 4 years of experience, including working abroad. Joined [Unagi Fujita] in 1996. Learned the processes of putting eel on skewers, cutting up whole eel, and grilling them over the course of 13 years. Appointed representative director in 2009, and concurrently worked in direct sales department. Opened a branch location in front of Hamamatsu Station in 2011. The Shirokanedai branch opened in 2016, and is managed jointly with the hostess and his older sister.

Mr. Horinouchi is an artisan chef who fascinates many people with his beautiful dishes that tell the story of the ingredients.

He was born in 1966 in Osaka. At the age of 18, he started his career as a chef. He has continued honing his Japanese cuisine skills by studying at various famous restaurants in Osaka Prefecture. Since March 2024, as head chef at NANIWA, he has been serving dishes that bring out the full potential of the ingredients. He pays close attention not only to the taste but also to the appearance of his dishes, attracting many people with his seasonal presentation. He is a passionate chef who always brings enthusiasm and curiosity to his cooking.