He chose to enter the cooking field to spend his whole life doing what he likes. 

He was born in Hokkaido. After graduating from a university in Sapporo, he started working at an office as a salaryman. Though he was happy with it, he decided to enter the cooking field to do what he loves. After training at a sushi shop in Otaru through the introduction of his acquaintance, he had further training in Tokyo for 2 more years to be a more confident chef. He returned to Hokkaido to open [Sushi Isono], and currently, he makes his best efforts to give excellent service to his guests, making use of his experience.  

The joy of making delicious pasta paved the way to becoming a chef.

While working part-time at a restaurant to earn a living, Mr. Endo became interested in how to make delicious pasta. The intense joy he experienced in the process changed his career path and made him decide to become a chef. After training at the Michelin-starred Schoneck, he worked as a chef in various locations before opening Evoluzione in Ibaraki at 40. In 2022, he took over as chef at  WAJO. His philosophy is to make the joy of others his own and to provide happiness through his cooking.

Mr. Miyashiro is a Japanese chef who uses his expert skills to entice guests with crispy fried tempura.

Mr. Miyashiro was born in 1967 in Kanagawa Prefecture and went to a culinary school (Yokohama chouri) with his friend. After graduation, he trained at Hotel Metropolitan in Ikebukuro and gained experience at Royal Park Hotel in Yokohama. Then at Sakura restaurant in Hotel Nikko Tokyo in Odaiba, he started up the tempura counter and served as head chef. After that, he worked as head chef at Hilton Tokyo in Odaiba, then joined MUGEN, Inc. in 2018. He has been working at "Tempura Miyashiro" since May 2018, primarily responsible for tempura. 

Mr. Saito, the owner, serves his proud teppanyaki and char-grilled dishes, where guests can enjoy the cooking scene right in front of their eyes.

He was born in 1979 in Tokyo and raised in Hiroshima. As his father was a chef and his maternal grandmother ran a Japanese-style hotel, he decided to become a chef and moved to Tokyo. While training in the restaurant business of Tokyu Corporation, he also attended a confectionery school and honed his skills in Western cuisine, banquet cuisine, and bridal cuisine. Later, he worked at a creative Japanese restaurant. In 2004, he worked at a Teppanyaki restaurant in Ginza, and he became the chef and owner of Teppanyaki Oribe in 2010, the predecessor of the current restaurant. In 2019, he relocated the restaurant and re-opened it independently with a new name, Teppanyaki Sumiyaki Saito.

Yasuharu Nakajima serves up Hokkaido soul food using only the finest ingredients sourced from the very same island he calls home.

Although he was born in Kyoto on April 12th, 1961, Yasuharu Nakajima moved to Sapporo when he was just 100 days old. His first encounter with the restaurant business was when he got a job in one while still a student, although he then went on to work in an unrelated sector for many years. However, Genghis Khan, Hokkaido's soul food, managed to bring him back to the culinary world. Nakajima wanted to open a restaurant that specialized in Hokkaido-bred lamb, so he decided his first step would be to raise his own sheep. Over a period of years, he slowly built up his flock until nine years later in 2012, when he was finally able to open his restaurant, Genghis Khan Hitsujikai no Mise "Itadakimasu". As an adult who has a responsibility towards food, Nakajima also runs projects to strengthen ties with children.

He created a restaurant to casually enjoy the savory Ishigaki Beef that fascinates him.

He was born in 1961 in Osaka prefecture. When he had a part time job at a bistro cafe in his school days, he liked seeing the guests enjoying his dishes. This led him to the cooking field when he graduated from school. He improved his cooking skills for various genres at Japanese, western, and yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurants in Osaka. In 1995, he got married and moved to the hometown of his wife, Ishigaki-jima Island, Okinawa prefecture. When he encountered Ishigaki Beef which was not well known at that time, he was fascinated with its exquisite taste. In the same year, he opened the current yakiniku restaurant which has become one of the top restaurants on the island. His restaurant is loved by both the locals and tourists.

Influenced by his father, a chef, Mr. Cuomo aspired to become a chef at 11.

Mr. Cuomo was born in Naples, Italy. Influenced by his father, a chef, he aspired to become a chef at 11 and apprenticed at his uncle's restaurant. Since then, he traveled back and forth between Japan and Italy and continued his training. He is credited as a pioneer who made "Napoli Pizza" famous in Japan. In terms of cuisine, he always aims to be the only one, not the number one. He serves as the grand chef of the "Italian" cuisine at the XEX brand to spread its flavor not only in Japan but also to the world every day.

The phrase customers say how delicious the food was, is everything the chef works for

While still a student, he discovered the joy of cooking while working part-time at an Izakaya (Japanese pub). After that, he managed a number of restaurants for “Muroran Yakitori Yoshidaya” and “Tokachi Butadon Ippin” before assisting in the opening of a branch restaurant at Stellar Place. With his creed of making each and every dish with the greatest of care, he goes about his daily preparations. He says that hearing customers tell him that his food was delicious is particularly moving. The butadon (pork bowl) prepared by Mr. Nakamura is infused with the gratitude he has for his customers, and people throng to the shop every day in search of that delicious taste.

A childhood dream took shape in the head chef's meticulous French cuisine.

Mr. Murasawa was born in 1974 in Ishikawa. He is a chef with extensive experience in French cuisine. After 10 years of working at a French restaurant, he served French dishes at APA Hotel from the age of 28 to 35 and then ran his own French restaurant for five years. He returned to APA Hotel to open a new restaurant and took part in menu planning. He also gained experience as a chef at a wedding venue. His passion for cooking has remained a part of his childhood dream, and his love for French cuisine originated from his admiration for it on a TV show.

He was fascinated by the idea of working with Japanese cuisine

During his time as a student at culinary college, an older student took him to a Japanese restaurant and showed him what it was like to be a head chef there. He immediately became fascinated by the beautiful work that chefs of Japanese cuisine do. He began working in this area because he wanted to become a teacher of Japanese chefs.

Mr. Takagi is dedicated to spreading the charm of Miyazaki through cuisine using Miyazaki's ingredients.

He was born in 1984 in Kyoto. Later, he grew up in Miyazaki, which is rich in nature. Since childhood, foodstuffs from the sea and the mountains have been familiar to him. Attracted by a job where he could sublimate the deliciousness of ingredients, he entered the culinary world at the age of 21. After 17 years of training at resort hotels, kaiseki restaurants, and popular Japanese restaurants in Miyazaki, he opened his own restaurant, Washoku Takagi, in March 2022. He always wishes that people would learn about the wonderful ingredients Miyazaki has to offer through its cuisine.

Ms. Wakamiya offers guests food that is kind to the body and soul.

Hello, my dears, This is Tamie from Japanese Fermented Degustation Bar ODORU. My wish is to be your friend, and this thought is based on my own experiences, such as traveling to many countries and living overseas. What always comes to my mind is that you can experience a place more deeply when you have friends there, even in the middle of your travels. Among those experiences, dining is something that fully stimulates all five senses, making your experience richer and deeper. For that reason, I've opened my place in Osaka, the city where I grew up and where I still fall in love with every day. I'd love for you to have a local experience, just as we Japanese enjoy at home-savoring the umami and dashi uniquely of Osaka, as well as fermented foods and seasonings that are distinctly Japanese. At my place, I focus on using domestic ingredients and elements of Buddhist cuisine, which promote both physical and mental health. You can even enjoy a mini-lesson on Japanese dining culture while you dine. I will be very happy if you come to love Japan even more through these experiences than you know now. Thank you. Sincerely, Tamie

The dream has come true, but Mr. Takachio still has feelings from back then.

He was born in 1976 in Tokyo. It was cooking manga that he read in elementary school that inspired his yearning to become a chef. His dream remained the same throughout high school, and he went on to a culinary school. After graduation, he gained experience in several restaurants before joining his current company. Moved to the U.S. for about a month to prepare for the opening of Peter Luger Steakhouse Tokyo in Japan. Learned about Peter Luger's steaks at the original restaurant in Brooklyn. In 2021, the restaurant opened in Ebisu. He's been grilling steaks in his kitchen since then.

Mr. Sakamoto has honed his skills in Japanese cuisine, but the sushi course is what will win you over.

Mr. Sakamoto was born in 1983 in Kanagawa Prefecture. After training at a Kyoto restaurant for 5 years, he honed his skills in the sushi department of Nadaman restaurant in a hotel in Tokyo, Nadaman in Yokohama, and other such places. He has been involved with Sushi Tsukiuda since its opening in September 2016. At Sushi Onikai, he has served as head chef since it opened in November 2019. As a sister restaurant of Sushi Tsukiuda, it mainly serves nigiri. While many restaurants offer a course of nigiri with side dishes, this restaurant is trying to compete primarily with nigiri and to satisfy customers with sushi alone. 

 

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.

A famed chef who mixes classic and new Italian cuisine.

Started building his career as a favorite apprentice of the famous chef Ettore Alzetta. After becoming the head chef at Angelo Paracucchi, where he formerly learned his trade, he gained experience working at several three-star Michelin restaurants. He also refined his craft at Antica Osteria del Ponte Milano Main Branch and is currently the executive chef of Antica Osteria del Ponte Tokyo Branch.

As the 15th generation of an old-established restaurant lasting 450 years, he is introducing the attractive Kyo-Kaiseki (Traditional Japanese course cuisine in Kyoto) to the world.

He was born in 1974 in Kyoto as the eldest son of Mr. Eiichi Takahashi, the 14th generation. After graduating from a university in Tokyo, he had training for 3 years at [Tsuruko], a traditional Japanese restaurant in Kanazawa, Ishikawa. After coming back to Kyoto in 1999, he became the 15th generation. Also, as a member of Japanese Culinary Academy, he is actively working inside and outside Japan focusing on food education and spreading the information about Kyo-Kaiseki, one of which is the collaboration work with Mr. Alain Ducasse, a great renowned French chef.

Naturally entered the world of cooking after growing up watching his aunt and mother run the restaurant.

Born in Oshamanbe. His aunt ran a restaurant there, which his mother worked at as well. Although he originally worked in a different industry, growing up watching his aunt and mother run the restaurant together naturally lead to him becoming a chef as well. After graduating from culinary school, he worked at hotels in locations such as Onuma, Lake Toya, and Noboribetsu. In Hakodate, he met his mentor Maejima at one of Hotel Hokke Club's Japanese restaurants, and began studying under him. He then worked as head chef at Hakodate Park Hotel and Hakodate Royal Hotel before taking up the position of head chef at Hakodate Kaisenryori Kaikobo.

Farmers and growers, cooks, and guests. Mr. Sato connects the dots to make a line and form a circle.

Mr. Sato was born in 1972 in Miyagi Prefecture. He grew up watching his parents out front as they ran a sushi restaurant and became fascinated with Japanese cuisine. After working at Hotel Kawakyu in Wakayama Prefecture and Hotel Arrowle in Ishikawa Prefecture, he trained at the Rihga Royal Hotel in Osaka. As a chef responsible for the final touches before the food is eaten, he enjoys connecting the warmth and thoughts of the people involved. Favored by fate, he devotes himself to his work every day with the motto, Kindness is best embodied in cooking.

Mr. Murata delivers pleasure with his particular passion as a meat lover.

He was born in 1971 in Ishikawa and is the owner and chef of NIKU Dining meat meet. He has experience in a casual restaurant that mainly serves meat dishes and an Italian bistro. As a meat lover himself, he is uncompromising in his dedication to all the menu items he offers. He carefully chooses ingredients, figures out how to cook them properly depending on the items, and provides meals that satisfy both the stomach and the mind.