Since the opening, Mr.Banba has pursued the goal of making his customers smile with delicious food.

Since the opening of GAJA Otaru, he has been a central figure in the dining hall, bringing energy and liveliness to the restaurant. He constantly strives to improve himself as a waiter and chef, all for the sake of the customers' satisfaction. Currently, he oversees several locations, including Otaru, Seizan, and Eniwa, commuting between each. He is continuously pursuing "better service" to further improve the quality of his food and service.

After 20 years, Mr. Nakai teamed up with his senior apprentice.

He was born in June 1978 in Kyoto. Started cooking at the age of 17, and after experiencing independence once in 2005, he worked as a head chef at various restaurants. In 2021, he joined KayaGroup at the invitation of the current vice president, Mr. Omata, who was his senior apprentice when he entered the culinary world. They reunite in new circumstances after 20 years and work together for the company on the master and disciple relationship. He loves his wife, incidentally, so he is nicknamed the "wife-loving manager." 

Knowing everything about ingredients, distribution, and management, she has devoted herself to working for the guests!

She was born in 1985 in Hakodate city. After graduating from Hokkaido Automotive Engineering College, she entered the service industry. She worked hard to open [Hakodate Seafood Izakaya Uomasa Susukino branch] in 2011. From 2012, she worked as the manager at [Hakodate Seafood Izakaya Uomasa Mihara branch]. Since 2016, she has been devoting herself to [improving service quality] for the guests at [Hakodate Seafood Izakaya Uomasa Goryokaku Main branch].  

Mr. Ikeda is a Japanese chef who continues confronting Japanese food from various perspectives.

He was born in 1977 in Osaka. Having studied as a chef mainly in Japanese cuisine, he also experienced sushi, Chinese cuisine, and Italian cuisine to reconsider Japanese cuisine from various perspectives beyond the boundaries of genres. Since around 2010, he has been with his current company as a chef, supporting the kitchens of each of the group's restaurants. Currently, he is working at Shunsai to Osake Anbai.

 

Trained in hotels and restaurants in Japan and three-star restaurants in France, Mr. Sawabe worked as a chef in various hotels and restaurants. In Japan's Hokuriku region, he has served at Kanazawa PREEMINENCE and Yoichi Sanso Auberge de Mikuni. Sympathizing with the concept of "A la ferme de Shinjiro," under the guidance of Mr. Shinjiro Imura, he creates French cuisine at traditional wooden townhouses in Kanazawa.

He was brought up surrounded by chefs, and decided to succeed his family business when he was still young.

Born in 1965 in Tokyo, he raised up in the Ueno city interacting with chefs. His father told him to decide his future by his third year of high school, therefore he determined to succeed his family business. After graduating from high school, he entered Yamanoue Hotel to have a 3-year training, then went back to [Ponta Honke] to work for. At the age of 36, he became the 4th generation as his father passed away, and is currently maintaining this old-established restaurant since the period of Meiji with its traditional taste.

Using the high expectations and hopes of those around him as a source of motivation, he forges his own path

He was born in Oita Prefecture in 1970. His parents ran a “fugu (blowfish) restaurant and Japanese restaurant” and he grew up in a family of dyed-in-the-wool chefs. As he was raised in constant contact with the culinary world and delicious food from early on, he was naturally aware of the fact that he too would become a chef. After graduating from university, he studied mainly fugu and Japanese dishes, then, in his 30s, sought to make a further leap in his development and gave Western cuisine a try. His insatiably curious mind, which did not stop at Japanese cuisine, continues to create new and spirited dishes.

Utilizes the [ma-ai (timing)] of Kabuki, his hobby to watch, into the service as well.

He was born in 1976 in Hokkaido. After graduating from high school, he had 3 years of training at a hotel in Sapporo, then moved to Tokyo at the age of 21. After working at restaurants in Tokyo and Yokohama for approximately 5 years, he went back to Hokkaido. After having further training at [Le Gentil Homme] in Sapporo, he went back to Yokohama again. After working at a French restaurant for 2 years, he entered [Restaurant Pleins d' Lerbes Kitakamakura] at the age of 32. He was certified as a sommelier in 2011. Now he is utilizing [ma-ai (timing)] of kabuki, his hobby to watch, into the service at the restaurant.

His journey towards becoming a yakitori (grilled chicken) artisan began when he helped out at his uncle's restaurant.

Born in Tokyo in 1964, Me. Mr. Emura began a career working at a company but was invited to help out at the izakaya (Japanese style pub) that his uncle runs, which is where he learned to grill chicken. At a time, the izakaya was so popular that they grilled 400 skewers of yakitori per day. However, it was forced to close due to the building's deterioration. At that point, Mr. Emura received an offer from culinary researcher Ms. Yukiko Hirano, who was an acquaintance of his. He opened "76Vin" in 2012, with her producing the food and the restaurant space.

Mr. Koizumi wants to keep the tradition of Edomae Sushi with his skilled craftsmanship.

Mr. Koizumi was born in 1963 in Tokyo and raised in Kanda Kamakura Coast. He joined "Kanda Jenome Sushi" by chance and began to aspire to become a sushi chef. Then, he sharpened his skills in authentic Edo-style sushi restaurants established in 1861. From April 2023, he became the head chef of Sushi Koidsumi in Yokohama. He is a sushi chef who continues to preserve the tradition of Edo-mae sushi, with skills cultivated over a long period.

It is only because he has a firm foundation that he has thrived as a chef

Born in Kagoshima Prefecture in 1987, Mr. Eta enjoyed cooking from a young age. For this reason, he naturally went on to enroll at a high school where he could get a chef's license. After graduation, he continued studying in order to get a nutritionist's license. Having learned the fundamentals well, he has found it very useful for his work as a chef.

Mr. Seimori charms customers with his bold and delicate French cooking skills that delight all 5 senses.

He has gained many experiences as a chef since the age of 16. He has experience in various genres and has studied hard in multiple fields, including Western restaurants, iron-griddled cuisine, and pastries. In addition, he deepened his knowledge of and sharpened his skills in Japanese sake and wine for 2 years as a bartender. He is an explorer who is obsessed with both food and sake. He is a brilliant chef who has participated in national content for cooking competitions as a representative of Okinawa. Currently, he serves "Teppan French Cuisine," a fusion of iron-griddled cooking and French food, which charms visitors to the restaurant.

Various experience from famous Trattoria to a 3-star sushi restaurant.

He was born in 1976 in Tokyo. Influenced by his good cook mother, he liked cooking since he was a child. Deciding to [do what I want to do most] when choosing his future career, he entered a cooking school. After graduating from the school, he started working at [CHIANTI] in Itakura. Later, he moved to [Trattoria MIKITA], and became a chef at the main restaurant for 4 years. Building up sufficient experience, he travelled to Italy. Returning to Japan, he broadened his experience at [Sushi Yoshitake] he had some connections, and became a chef at [Osteria da K.(kappa)].

Chef of an authentic Western restaurant who has continued to hone his skills mainly in Italian. 

Mr. Yamamoto was born in 1996 in Saitama. He began his interest in cooking in junior high school when he started making meals for it himself. He began to enjoy serving his family and being told how delicious it was. At 22 years old, after graduating from college, he started working at a restaurant a friend was recruiting for and studied mainly Italian cuisine. In September 2022, he moved from SAKURA Kabukicho to SAKURA Roppongi, where he serves as the chef.

Mr. Yamaguchi cherishes Japanese food culture and offers dishes to please his guests.

He was born in 1970 in Kumamoto. After graduating from high school, he began working as a hotelier. He worked as a bartender and a waiter in a restaurant. He became interested in cooking and started training as a chef. He worked in various restaurants, such as Japanese, Italian, and Japanese-style pubs. In 2023, he was involved in the opening of the current FUJIWARA STEAK HOUSE and was appointed as head chef. 

Providing more than just a counter dining experience.

Mr. Kebukawa was born in 1992 in Saitama Prefecture. He started his career as a chef at the French restaurant Amusez in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture. After working at a French restaurant, A Nu Retrouvez-vous in Hiroo, he continued his career as a chef in various places. After working as a chef at Nakameguro Grill in Nakameguro, he joined Triple R Co., Ltd. in 2020. He is currently the chef at Rn. With the concept that the experience is more than just eating in mind, he entertains many guests at the counter with a lively atmosphere.

The experience of working part-time made him to become a chef in teppanyaki (grilled on iron griddle) cuisine.

He was born in 1989 in Okinawa prefecture. Through his part-time wroking experience as a service staff at [Steak House Capital] in his high school days, he got fascinated with the restaurant field. After graduating from high school, he had a training as a chef to improve his skills, and became a chef in teppanyaki (grilled on iron griddle) cuisine. He is still actively working as a chef at [Steak House Capital], and considers it important to have communication with the guests and grill the ingredients upon their request.

He converted his inn into a restaurant specializing in unagi (eel) to carry on his hometown’s tradition of unagi cuisine.

He was born in 1959 and raised in Mie Prefecture. After he graduated from college, he took a job at Hotel Taiike, which used to be in Toba, since he was going to eventually take over his parents' traditional Japanese inn that they were running at the time. During his time working at the hotel, he worked in the kitchen as well as the front desk, so he built experience with customer service in addition to cooking. After three years, he came back home to handle reception, cooking, and management at Kawaume. When his father passed away in 2008, he took over Kawaume as the 4th generation inheritor, and converted it from an inn into a restaurant specializing in unagi cuisine. Nowadays, he works hard to preserve the local traditions of unagi cuisine and has worked up a reputation for his original donburi (rice bowl) recipe.

A chef and a sommelier, a master chef with two sides

He was born in Kyoto in 1986. He used to cook as a child while his parents were working. Attracted by how interesting cooking is, he decided to become a chef. After graduating from Kyoto cooking college, he polished his skills working at French and Italian restaurants in Kyoto. While working at an Italian restaurant in Fukui, he became a certified sommelier. He next became the head chef at a French restaurant where he played an active role. He was appointed as the head chef of [Gensen wagyu Ishigama Katamariniku steak Ishigamayaki Tokinokane] in May 2019 after meeting the CEO of his present company.

Mr. Tomita presents the quintessence of Japanese cuisine in a Japanese setting, with dishes that are rich in flavor and make the most of seasonal ingredients.

He was born in 1969 in Kumamoto. The owner of Nihonryori Tomita. While working part-time at a Japanese restaurant, he was praised for the delicious rice balls he made, which awakened his enjoyment of working in the food industry. He trained at a Japanese restaurant in Tokyo for five years, aspiring to become a professional. After returning to Kumamoto and working for many years as a sous chef at a traditional Japanese restaurant and a chef at a Japanese restaurant, he founded his current restaurant in 2008. The restaurant was moved to its current location in 2020. He attracts guests from Japan and abroad with seasonal delicacies and cordial hospitality in an elegant Japanese space.