From Executive Chef at a top hotel to restaurant owner. A craftsman expanding the possibilities of Japanese cuisine.

Mr. Inaba was born in 1967 in Tokyo. With the opening of the Grand Hyatt Tokyo in Roppongi, he became the sous chef of Sushi Roku Roku. Afterwards, he participated in the opening of Japanese Cuisine Kazahana at the Conrad Tokyo in Shiodome and became executive chef in 2010. After that, he became executive chef at Resort Amanemu in Ise-Shima, Mie, where his breakfast was named "The Best Hotel Breakfasts in the world" by the American magazine "BRIDES". He currently demonstrates his skills at Ginza Inaba.

An experienced chef offers exquisite dishes to satisfy all the senses.

Mr. Shirato was born in 1971 in Chiba. He is an experienced chef who has honed his skills at teppanyaki restaurants within APA Hotels. He worked for four years at "Teppanyaki THE Nanami" in APA Hotel & Resort Ryogoku Eki Tower. In October 2024, he moved to APA Hotel & Resort Tokyo Bay Makuhari and is currently working at Teppanyaki Nanami at the hotel.  He offers dishes that satisfy all the senses of his guests.

Making the restaurant where customers can enjoy not only the taste but also the cooking scene.

Mr. Shio was born in 1990 in Chiba. After working at "Sabatini di Firenze Ginza branch" for two years, "Sabatini di Firenze Daimaru Tokyo branch" for four years, "Pub Cardinal Ginza" for two years, and "Pub Cardinal Marnouchi (PCM)" for four years, he has arrived at his current position. At "il Cardinale Akasaka," the open kitchen is a charming feature that makes interactions between guests and staff enjoyable. He aims to create a restaurant experience that is satisfying to the taste and enjoyable to watch with their open kitchen.

Realized that "eating delicious food" is crucial.

Mr. Matsuda was born in 1980 in Kyoto. After 10 years as a company employee, he was forced to retire due to illness, and he had time to think slowly about his future life. At that time, he realized that "Eating delicious food" was his highest priority, and he aspired to a cooking job with customer service. After working at a Western cuisine restaurant, a Japanese restaurant, and a ramen restaurant, he entered STAR BAR GINZA and started training. In March 2022, he was appointed manager of the Kyoto branch, KYOTO STAR BAR.

Inspired by Alain Ducasse's spirit, and became the chef at Benoit.

Mr. Noguchi has trained in France at Domaine de Beauvois near Tours and at Le Choiseul in Amboise. After returning to Japan, he built his career at Chez Matsuo, serving as head chef. Inspired by Alain Ducasse's culinary style and philosophy, particularly the emphasis on vegetables and jus, he became the sous chef at the opening of Benoit Tokyo in September 2005. In April 2011, he was appointed as the head chef.

Mr. Kaneko became familiar with cooking while growing up with a grandmother who was a home economics teacher.

He led the "Azabudai Series" to receive one Michelin star for three consecutive years. He was born in 1988. He honed his skills at Heichinro, Japan's oldest established restaurant, and at SENSE, the Michelin-starred restaurant in Mandarin Oriental Tokyo. The restaurant offers a multi-course meal featuring a variety of small dishes that blend traditional Cantonese cuisine with spices from various Asian countries that the chef learned during his overseas training, paired with wines recommended by the chef, who is also a certified sommelier. He was appointed the head chef of "Series the sky", the second restaurant in the Series.

Mr. Matsumura attracts customers with "Oita Wagyu beef," which he adores for its delicious taste, with Kyoto's traditional culture.

He was born in 1983 in Hyogo. The manager of the Wagyu Restaurant Bungo Gion. While honing his wide-ranging skills in Japanese cuisine as a chef, he has also produced restaurants for many years, establishing about 60 restaurants in Japan and abroad. He has been involved in various businesses, including yakiniku, shabu-shabu, and izakaya (Japanese-style pubs). During his activities, he came across "Oita Wagyu" and was fascinated by its lean flavor and delicious taste. In 2023, he established his current restaurant to share this beef's charm in the ancient city. In a refined traditional setting in Kyoto, he presents the ultimate deliciousness of Wagyu beef.

Mr. Iwamoto is an experienced chef who has been involved in food from various aspects.

He was born in 1971 in Tokyo. He had worked as a chef at "SARA" in Aoyama, Tokyo. He then became involved in the launch of "Table Modern Service," where he assisted in the operation and menu development of various restaurants, starting with its production business. After that, he worked at "Tokyo American Club" and is currently a chef at "Kagurazaka Shabu-shabu Fuga." His diverse menu, ranging from simple dishes that best use quality ingredients to creative dishes, has delighted many people.

Mr. Sato offers dishes full of flavor and warmth that both adults and children can enjoy.

He was born in 1991 in Hokkaido. Motivated by the desire to provide food that both children and adults can enjoy through nutritional education, he decided to become a chef. He acquired a wide range of culinary skills through five years of training at a Chinese restaurant and six years of experience in group meal preparation. Now, at Asahikawa Jingisukan Daikokuya Shinbashi, he is applying his expertise and skills to serve dishes that will satisfy his guests.

There are no regrets if you do what you love, so Mr. Shoji always keeps moving forward.

Mr. Shoji was born in 1976 in the City of Otaru, Hokkaido. After graduating from high school, he worked for a company but left because he loved sushi and wanted to make it himself. After 10 years of training at a sushi restaurant in Otaru, the opportunity arose. He took over the store where his mother had worked(now the Takinami Store). He began helping out in the family business. For 5 years, he learned about selling seafood, purchasing, and insisting on fresh and delicious ingredients. Then, in July 2009, he opened the Kita no Donburiya Takinami Shokudo at the store in the same market.

Mr. Fuyuno is a chef and owner of the restaurant, who is highly admired by a wide range of guests from Japan and abroad.

He was born in 1974 in Ibaraki. Trained in Kaiseki (tea-ceremony dishes) cuisine, hotels, and Japanese restaurants. He learned and honed his skills in various techniques of serving food in beautiful dishes and using seasonal vegetables and other ingredients. In 2017, he came to Tokyo October. Serving as both head chef and owner of the restaurant, he has established a “style in which the chef himself provides hospitality.”  He calls himself a Japanese cuisine artist and pursues not only cooking but also the art of tea ceremony. Offering a diverse appeal as a comprehensive cultural art not limited to Japanese cuisine, he is adored by a wide range of guests from Japan and abroad.

Mr. Yamanaka is an executive chef who has maintained his particular taste since shortly after the restaurant's establishment.

He was born in 1952 in Kanagawa. Began his career working at a restaurant in Okayama. At the same time, his brother, who was staying and working in Fukuoka under the influence of a friend from Fukuoka, founded Hakata Motsunabe Yamanaka in 1984. He was offered to help at the restaurant, which quickly became popular, and joined it in 1987. Since then, he has continued to work as a chef at the restaurant. As the executive chef of Hakata Motsunabe Yamanaka, he is still active on the front line.

Fascinated by BLACK TERRACE, Mr. Ogawa turned from a photographer to the world of food. 

He was born in 1992 in Kanagawa. When he was working as a photographer after graduating from university, he reached a turning point when he met BLACK TERRACE. That restaurant has a unique atmosphere which fascinated him, then he decided to transition into a chef. Having always enjoyed cooking, he began his career as a chef at the age of 25. After that, he has devoted himself to further study and is now active as a chef. He pursues sensitive cuisine worthy of the expressive restaurant.

Mr. Urata is a manager who values the spirit of Omotenashi and serves delicious food.

He was born in 1989 in Osaka. At age 20, he entered the world of food and beverage. While working as a bartender, he realized he enjoyed cooking and became a chef. In addition to the bar, he trained at a yakiniku restaurant and a Takoyaki restaurant to hone his skills. He later joined Light House Co., Ltd., which operates Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M by chance. He has been supporting the restaurant as a manager since the opening of the Dotombori Sennichimae Branch in December 2023. With the spirit of "Omotenashi" (hospitality), he considers "as long as you are in Osaka, you are our customer."

Offering customers food with warmth and kindness.

Since Mr. Ito's family owned a fresh fish shop and deli, he spent a lot of time cooking from a young age, so he naturally decided to become a chef. After graduating from high school, he went to culinary school. Recommended by a friend, he began working at the Haute Cuisine Restaurant Kiku. Here, he met the master who would later become his mentor, and he learned the basics of cooking. He endeavors to serve "dishes with warmth and kindness" in terms of taste, aroma, and presentation.

Mr. Kondo has pride as a sushi artisan and continues to refine his skills.

He was born in 1979 in Tokyo. When he first visited a counter-style sushi restaurant as a child, he was so impressed by the chef's performance that he decided to become a sushi chef. After graduating high school, he started his career at sushi and Japanese restaurants. He then worked in various positions, such as instructor at a culinary institute, sushi restaurant head chef, and hotel head chef, before opening Kappo Kondo in 2022. While managing the restaurant, he met someone working as a Toyosu Market sushi broker and sushi artisan, and they discussed their dreams with each other. In August 2023, they did a magnificent job of realizing their dream of opening a restaurant together, Kagurazaka Sushi Konkon.

Becoming the forefront of French cuisine showing his identity in Asakusa, the hometown of the chef.

He was born in 1974 in Tokyo. After graduating from junior high school, he went to a cooking school and had training at restaurants in Tokyo. At the age of 24, he went to France to work for restaurants with the stars such as [Auberge de Cimes] in Paris and [Auberge La Feniere] in Southern France. After coming back to Japan, he worked at Tsukiji Fish Market for 1 year to save money, then opened [HOMMAGE] at the age of only 26. He is currently offering original French dishes that can be created only in Tokyo, in his hometown Asakusa.

Mr. Osada is a master chef who, with the excitement of his childhood in his heart, creates sophisticated dishes steeped in tradition.

He was born in 1973 in Tokyo. As a child, he was impressed by his mother's cooking and developed a genuine curiosity about "how to make such delicious food." He studied at Nakamuraro and Wakuden, both long-established restaurants in Kyoto, where he mastered the art of tradition and innovation. After returning to his hometown, he worked at a kappo restaurant in Kagurazaka, where he deepened his skills and learned management know-how for the restaurant business. Based on this experience, he is pursuing cuisine that delivers excitement to visitors at Sushi Wa Nogi.

Mr. Ogishima fascinates his guests with ramen, which he puts in the flavor of Hida.

He was born in 1984 in Fukuoka. When he was about to start his career, the timing was right, and he decided to go into the culinary field. His love for ramen led him to train at Matsuri Takayama Branch, where he dedicated himself to making ramen. Currently, he is serving at the Matsuri Osu Branch. His delicate flavors and high skill level captivate guests and drive the restaurant's popularity.

 

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.