Doing part time work as a student inspired me to enter the world of cuisine

I was born in Tokyo during June 1975, and set my heart on entering the world of cuisine after taking on part time work at a restaurant during my university days. After gaining experience at various restaurants I became a chef at FRENCHIES. As a restaurant where you can casually savor delicious food and wine, we offer a broad menu that is well-matched to the taste of the wines.

In the restaurant business for nearly 30 years. Now a chef who captivates many

When he was a student, Koichi Ryu began working in a restaurant without much serious thought. But he was so taken by the head chef there that he started on the culinary path at the age of 18. At one point, he almost threw in the towel but there was no way he could completely give up on the culinary world. It's been thirty years now since he first chose this career. After working at Hakata Saryo, Fugu Taisho, Moyai (small restaurant), and various other restaurants, Mr. Ryu is now the owner of Ryuichi in Zashonokuma.

A chef's job is to bring joy to people.

Born in Matsue in 1973. He says his dream was always to have his own restaurant. He had an interest in cooking, and worked part time at a restaurant, while also often cooking at home. He began working at a sushi restaurant at the age of 24. His good points are that he enjoys serving people, and making them happy. This is what he believes is an important part of being a chef. He spent four years learning all of the ins and outs of sushi and Japanese cuisine to become independent. His heart's desire is to open a restaurant where customers feel welcome, and that serves original, heart-felt food.

A chef who layers the flavors of the four seasons and the encounters between people

Kojiro Kashiwada is a native of Miyazaki Prefecture in Kyushu. Because he had a dining hall for a home, he naturally chose the path of the chef. After training at a ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant) in Osaka that specialized in catering, he worked for five years at Gyozantei in Miyazaki before moving to Tokyo in order to establish the second branch of that restaurant in the Akasaka neighborhood. He worked for about seven years at the Akasaka store before setting out on his own. It has been 16 years since he first opened Kasane.

A missionary for legitimate Italian cuisine He fell for fresh pasta and chose the path of Italian food

After working in a French restaurant, he was taken to an Italian restaurant by an associate and ate fresh pasta for the first time. He got an incredible shock and, his heart brimming with a desire to learn more, he started learning about Italian cuisine. Crossing over to Italy by himself, his self-confidence, built over a 10 year career, was shattered by the deliciousness of the food made for him by a local old lady, so he started a study of the fundamental importance of making food well. Without purposely pushing to make things different, he tries new techniques and brings in new sensations daily, even as he sticks to the methods of orthodox Italian, all to continue delivering the joy of Italian food.

Whole-heartedly Never lose sight of the origin when selecting raw materials.

He was born in 1972 in Funabashi City. He loves eating, so he chose the path of making food. He studied at Italian and French restaurants within the city. He worked as the master chef at several restaurants in Chiba, and in 2011, he opened Ristrante Onesto. In accordance with the name of the restaurant, he will select ingredients ‘with full sincerity' and be a chef who doesn't forget his origins. He would like you to think of his restaurant as another dining table. He values the relationship with his customers. As time goes by, he wants to devote himself every day to making progress along the path he have chosen to take.

I had a fascination with the hospitality industry and I always hoped to have my own place!

My first job working in the hospitality industry was at an izakaya. While I was working there, I became very interested in the industry and I began to think about starting up my own place. From that time on, all of my attention went into learning how to cook. The izakaya that I worked at focused mainly on seafood based cuisine, which meant that I gained a lot of knowledge and tricks about cooking with fish. People say that my knowledge of fish is on a different level to others.

With steam and speed, this chef offers up Chinese Taiwan cuisine.

I was born in June, 1983 in the city of Hakodate in Hokkaido Prefecture. I was influenced by my father, who ran an Izakaya, and so after I graduated from high school, I decided to learn the ropes of the service industry at a local Japanese-style restaurant. I entered the world of Chinese Taiwan cuisine in 2009 when I started working at Chinese Taiwan Restaurant Misen, thanks to a family connection. I learned by watching Sho, a veteran who showed me how to utilize steam and speed, a style of cooking which is very different from Japanese-style cuisine. It was a period of diligent training for me and I spent my days polishing my skills in the kitchen.

He brings all of the culinary skills he's cultivated to life here at Kagura

He entered the culinary world at the age of 18. First, he built up experience at authentic Japanese restaurants all around Osaka. He then offered his skills to the owner of Kagura in 2012, where he was promoted to head chef.

We aim for a cozy restaurant that you will feel comfortable strolling into.

Daisuke was born on August 23rd, 1976 in Toyama Prefecture. During his college days, he worked part time at the original Momoya, and that was his impetus for entering the culinary world. At first, he was working in an industry unrelated to food and drink, but his feeling of delight at cooking and serving customers was so strong that he decided to become a chef. After gaining experience at various Japanese style restaurants, he opened Momoya Kamimaezu. Presently, he is paying special attention to timing the serving of his specialty skewers just right, and he displays his abilities while greeting customers with an easy-going, inviting atmosphere.

A restaurateur who continually seeks to provide a customer-tailored experience.

Born in Tokyo in 1970, he embraced the dream becoming a chef and opening a restaurant with his father. Upon graduation from a culinary school, he honed his skills at hotels and Japanese restaurants in Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa. He became head chef at Onzoshi Matsurokuya in June of 2012. He strives daily to offer true hospitality by utilizing best-quality ingredients to make food that keeps you coming back for more.

An encounter with a chef of French cuisine opened him up to the world of French food.

Toru Totoki was born in 1956 in Fukushima prefecture. When he was 20-years old, at a time that few people were familiar with French cuisine, he happened to meet the head chef of a French restaurant. Thanks to this chef's introduction, Totoki trained for 2 years at Regence Shibuya, then the famous French restaurant Ginza Lecrin, before going to Europe. He worked for 11 years as the head chef of Ginza Lecrin, from 1992 to 2003, then he opened Les Dix Temps, The Totoki. In 2013, the restaurant was updated and re-opened as Ginza Totoki.

Learning the joy of cooking from a Chinese chef, and its depth from a Japanese master.

Born in 1973 in Chiba Prefecture, his inspiration for pursuing this path was a Chinese chef who showed him the joy of cooking at the restaurant where he worked part-time as a high school freshman. He later became the apprentice of a Japanese chef while working at another restaurant. Although the chef was a well-rounded master who had studied abroad, he still said "Nothing beats Japanese beef." Those words made a deep impression on Mr. Ogura.

Born February 23rd, 1960, a native of Hyogo Prefecture. After graduating from high school he worked at a number of restaurants, before traveling to France. He studied under Bernard Loiseau, the head chef at La Cote d'Or (now called Le Relais Bernard Loiseau), who gave rise to the Asian-inspired French fusion style, which our chef learned. He returned home to work at the Japanese chef of La Cote d'Or Kobe in 1992. As of 2000 he was promoted to the general manager and head chef of the Kitano Kobe Hotel.

A chef who works hard to make dishes that are just as fun to eat as they are to look at.

He was born in October of 1974 and grew up in Fukushima Prefecture. During his student years he worked part-time helping prepare food at a ryokan (Japanese-style inn), which put him on the path to becoming a chef. After training for about six years in Tokyo, he made his way back home. He puts a lot of effort into making truly delightful dishes that are just as fun to eat as they are to look at, and he loves it when his customers can stop in and enjoy his food while they have an amazing time.

Delicious sushi made using local ingredients from Otaru.

He is originally from Otaru. He became interested in cooking while working at a hotel restaurant specializing in Buddhist-style cuisine. Above all else, from a young age he felt a connection to the ingredients of Otaru and wanted to make good use of them by becoming a sushi chef. He gained experience training at sushi restaurants in Sapporo and Otaru. In 2001, he opened Sushiko in his hometown, where he works today.

Influenced by relatives who ran a sushi shop, he started his career in cooking.

He was born in Chiba Prefecture in 1964. Thanks to his relatives who ran a sushi shop, he has wanted to become a chef ever since he was a child. He started his training at a sushi restaurant in Tokyo when he was 15 and after that, he polished his skills at several other shops. In 1994, he opened up a new shop, "Kisoji", in Shinbashi in Minato Ward in Tokyo Prefecture and ever since then, has been serving only the freshest of ingredients and seasonal fish that are not only healthy, but let you enjoy the delicious flavors of each season.

Always obsessive about fish.

Seafood direct from the Port of Heda, Numazu. Every morning we head to Numazu port to buy our stock. Normally the fishermen bring in their afternoon catch to the Port of Heda to put out at market the next day. But we go directly to buy our fish so by that evening we can serve it in our restaurant. Our customers get to experience a freshness they would normally not be able to do.

He continues to strive down the path of cuisine to fulfill his dream of owning his own restaurant

Born in 1959. A native of Saga Prefecture's Karatsu City. His memories of a local Japanese food restaurant led him to enter the world of cuisine, deciding to make food that could move people. After acquiring experience at Hakata hotels and Japanese restaurants, he became head chef of Japanese cuisine at the Yachiyo Royal Hotel in Kumamoto. After that, he worked as head chef of the Yamaguchi Grand Hotel's Japanese Restaurant Miyabi for 12 years. He opened WA FUKUSHIMA in September of 2009, and this is his fifth year with us. He's never satisfied with his own cooking, striving for excellence each day.

Serious about his cooking, he was born to be a chef

This chef was born on January 30th, 1972 in Hyogo Prefecture. Originally, he simply had an affinity for service, and wound up heading down the path to becoming a chef. He worked at various pubs and restaurants all over, and gradually came to realize the importance of making meals. Then he grew to find joy in delighting people with his cooking, and got serious about it as a career. When Kitsetsu Ryori Sakura opened in 2013, he took the opportunity to apply here, and he works here still.