An experienced chef who has fascinated international diners spins a new tale in Kyoto.

Mr. Sawada started his career as a chef at Gion Maruyama, a long-established restaurant with two Michelin stars. Having gained experience in prestigious restaurants, he was the head chef of a restaurant in Tokyo, where he achieved three consecutive Michelin stars. He also worked as a head chef at luxury hotels abroad, attracting guests worldwide. In July 2024, he returned to Kyoto and assumed the head chef position at Gion Shizuka. The sincerity and warmth in his cooking always attract visitors.

The journey into cooking began with an interest in various industries.

Mr. Ono was born in 1999 in Hyogo. The inspiration to work in the food industry came from a desire, during his time at an agricultural high school, to experience the entire process from production to processing and sales, known as the sixth industrialization. After graduating from culinary school, he spent a year in vegetable production and processing in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata, which UNESCO recognized as a Creative City of Gastronomy. He then worked at a French restaurant in Tokyo before joining his current company. He left the company temporarily to help his mentor, a chef, with the opening of a restaurant in France and then returned to Japan. He is currently active at APA Hotel & Resort Tokyo Bay Shiomi.

Grew up watching his father's back, Mr. Kobayashi also decided to pursue a career in food. 

He was born in 1979 in Niigata. He became familiar with cooking from an early age because of his father's influence. After moving to Tokyo with his father, who worked there, he began pursuing his culinary career earnestly. In Tokyo, he trained at several Kaiseki restaurants for several years and honed his skills. While respecting traditional techniques, he always incorporates new ideas to provide dishes that surprise and impress his guests. As head chef at Hassan since 2021, he creates dishes that bring out the best in the ingredients.

Mr. Okayama opened his restaurant inspired by Peruvian and Latin American cuisine, which was a new frontier for him.

He was born in 1988 in Aichi. His interest in cooking began when he was young, watching his mother cook at home and helping her in the kitchen. After graduating from culinary school, he started his career at an Italian restaurant in Nagoya. Having accumulated training at many famous restaurants, he moved to Italy when he was 24 years old. After returning to Japan, he became a chef at an Italian restaurant in Tokyo. Upon returning to Nagoya, he was involved in the launch of a Peruvian restaurant and was fascinated with Peruvian cuisine, which he had no experience with. In November 2022, he opened Pes. and became independent.

A chef who preserves long-standing traditions while offering the joy of new culinary experiences.

Mr. Tsuneyuki Emi was born in 1981 in Kobe, Hyogo. After training at a famous restaurant in Kobe, he moved to France. He studied at Michelin 3-star Auberge du Vieux Puits in the Languedoc region of southern France and Michelin 3-star Arpège in Paris. Upon returning to Japan, he served at a gastro bar, KNOT, which was awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand three years in a row, and became chef at ESPICE in 2016. With a deep love and respect for his hometown of Kobe, he continues to lead Kobe's French culinary scene.

An experienced Italian chef who continues to realize his childhood dream.

Mr. Okada was born in 1974 in Kanagawa. Having been interested in food since he could remember, he decided to pursue a career in the food business. Experienced in moving to Italy to study authentic Italian cuisine. After returning to Japan, he served as a head chef at restaurants at famous hotels such as Peninsula Tokyo and Mandarin Oriental Tokyo. Before the Corona disaster, he also showed his skills in Honolulu's membership-based Italian. Currently, he serves as the general chef of several restaurants, including GARDEN HOUSE MINATOMIRAI.

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.  

Based on French skills, Mr. Omagari shows off the deliciousness of Western and local food in Nagasaki.

He was born in 1978 in Nagasaki. A chef at Restaurant Pavé. In high school, he knew the fun and joy of cooking and aspired to be a professional.  After graduating from cooking school, he started his career at Nagasaki Tokyu Hotel, the predecessor of ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Nagasaki Glover Hill. Focusing on French, he learned a wide range of skills in Western cuisine. In 2012, after renewing the current hotel and restaurant, he continued to study further and became his current position. He delivers a variety of Western food that everyone can enjoy, with sincere work.

 

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.

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.

A chef whose diverse experiences and passions are firmly rooted in the background.

Mr. Haneda was born in 1983 in Nara. Having been familiar with cooking since childhood, he developed a strong interest in cooking through his older brother's career as a pastry chef and his part-time work in restaurants. Also influenced by famous cooking shows and cartoons, he aspired to become a chef in earnest. He started his career at a restaurant in Nara, gained experience in Kyobashi and Kitahama in Osaka, and steadily improved his skills. In 2021, he joined the opening staff of Osaka W. In 2024, he started a new challenge as sous chef of Teppanyaki MYDO.

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.

With his love for Kyoto and cooking at his core, Mr. Nishino has been introducing the unique cuisine of Kikusui to the world.

He was born in 1976 in Sabae, Fukui. Wanting to delight many people with cuisine, he began walking the chef's path. After training at famous restaurants in Kyoto when he was 18, he joined Kikusui. In 2013, he was appointed as its third head chef. During its 2018 renovation, he trained hard at a Michelin 3-star Japanese restaurant and polished his techniques. He produces Washoku Kaiseki, which combines traditions with attempts at something new. He is not afraid to take on new challenges and continues to lead the kitchen as always, with a determination to protect the food, traditions, and staff.

Mr. Honda attracts diners with creative Japanese cuisine that is rich in a sense of the season and makes the most of flexible ideas and proven techniques.

He was born in Shiga and is the head chef of Kurubushi. Having loved cooking since childhood, he was fascinated by the work of bringing joy to people through food, which led him to become a professional. After training at a Japanese restaurant in Shinsaibashi, he joined the renowned Tenma restaurant, Sousaku Shubou Nakanaka, in 2015, where he honed his imagination and cooking skills to make the most of seasonal ingredients, which is the restaurant's motto. In 2020, he became the head chef of the restaurant's 2nd location, Sousaku Shubou Sou Sou. After developing it into a popular restaurant, he was appointed to his current position when the 3rd restaurant, Kurubushi, opened in the fall of 2022. Through seasonal kaiseki courses, he is presenting the culmination of his experience.

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.

A "Meat Master" uses various approaches to convey the deliciousness of meat.

Mr. Yamase was born in 1967 in Kumamoto. He grew up watching his parents running a ranch and started his own food wholesale company. After meeting the current owner through a mutual acquaintance, he was involved in establishing Waniku 89BAL, the predecessor of Niku Ebisu 89BAL, in 2015. Currently, he is also a chef and is active in many fields as a meat professional to spread the deliciousness of carefully selected meat from all over the country, including Kikuchi Beef, raised at his parent's ranch.

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.

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.

Offering culinary experience brought by up-and-coming chefs in a variety of genres.

Mr. Taira honed his skills at famous Italian restaurants such as Acqua and Takubo and starred restaurants in Italy. Using ingredients selected from all over Japan, he transforms them into his own creative Italian cuisine, which fascinates his guests. KABEAT has five chefs who are experts in Italian cuisine, American cuisine, French cuisine, Japanese cuisine, and desserts, and they create and serve menus that make the most of the ingredients. Their menu, which combines their unique style with a sense of the season, will bring a fresh color to any occasion's dining experience.

Ms. Yamada is always ready to entertain guests with a smile so that they can enjoy their meals even more deliciously.

Ms. Yamada is always ready to entertain guests with a smile so that they can enjoy their meals even more deliciously. As a floor staff supporting the 2nd branch of Katsudon Daijyu, which attracts many guests with its popular "Katsudon without binding with eggs," she is improving her skills every day. Her motto is to be flexible and attentive to guests' requests. In order to create a comfortable space, she works hard to make the restaurant even better.