Following in his parents' footsteps, he always creates cuisine that brings a smile to his customers' faces

Born in 1973 in Fukuoka Prefecture. His family owned and operated a restaurant that sparked his interest in natural ingredients and the culinary arts. In gratitude to his parents, and in admiration of their lifelong work, he aspired to become a chef himself. He trained at numerous restaurants in his hometown of Fukuoka. In 2010, he joined the Tanka Main Branch, where he works day in and day out to bring smiles to his customers' faces. He currently mans the kitchen, and is constantly in search of new flavors.

Providing an elegant dining experience with local ingredients for guests.

Mr. Kato from Miyazaki is an experienced chef who has satisfied many guests as a cook for over 20 years. He currently serves at the Japanese restaurant Saishun in APA Hotel Sendai Eki Itsutsubashi. Using local ingredients from Tohoku, including those from Miyagi Prefecture, he offers his guests an elegant dining experience.

Hidemi Nishioka transformed himself from a fisherman into a sushi artist making the most of the great taste of fish

Born February 13th, 1961, Hidemi Nishioka is a native of Hamanaka-cho, Hokkaido. After graduating from vocational school, he joined his father, who was a fisherman, to go fishing out at sea for two years. When the fishing season came to an end and he went for a meal at a sushi restaurant, it struck him that if he cooked the fish he caught in a similar way, they would be delicious. He then aspired to be a sushi artist and began his training at Omi Sushi Sohonten in Kushiro. Afterwards, he refined his skills at sushi restaurants, hotels, and other establishments in Yoichi and Kushiro. In 1989, he joined Masazushi and worked at the main store, becoming manager of Otaru Masazushi Zenan in 2010.

Fan and Repeater Chef of Kappa Ramen (noodle)

Born in 1977 in Hyogo. He loved Kappa ramen for a long time and was a repeater. Via his friend, he started his ramen career at Sennichimae shop. He strives for his dream of starting his own shop every day.

Mr. Tsutsui always strives for growth through his diversified experiences and solid skills.

He was born in 1994 in Hyogo. Since childhood, he has been fascinated by careers that bring joy to people, which led him to become a chef. He gained experience working in an Italian restaurant while studying at Tsuji Culinary Institute. Even after graduation, he developed his skills at a renowned Italian restaurant. After enhancing his specialized knowledge and skills, he started working at his current company to challenge himself in a new field. While emphasizing not only cooking but also communication skills, he showcases his skills at M no Yakiniku Fukushima Main Branch.

"Food makes people happy." To be a chef who can give dreams to guests.

Fascinated by a chef he saw on a TV show as a child, Mr. Matsuda started his culinary career at the age of 17. After being impressed by the global experience in Los Angeles, which he visited on a high school excursion, he joined an Italian restaurant in Tokyo with the hope of someday studying cooking abroad. Later, he trained at a three-star restaurant in Italy and returned to Japan. After gaining experience at a French restaurant in Kobe, he opened Shoku to Mori on June 8, 2022. Currently, he is also involved in the management of Shoku To Mori.

The only one taste in the world developed by his own sense and skill.

He was born in 1970 in Hiroshima prefecture. Though he worked for a department store after graduating from university, he quit the job because he always desired to create something by himself, and his strong will brought him to [Enraku], a renowned restaurant in Shimbashi run by his uncle to learn the fundamentals of pork cutlet. After accumulating the experience for deep-fried skewers and kappo cuisine (Japanese style cooking) in the 11-year training, he opened [Narikura] in 2010 in Takadanobaba. Based on the pork cutlet of [Enraku], he has been modified the recipe little by little to reach [what he wants to eat].Upon closing the restaurant in March, 2019, he succeeded the restaurant to his apprentice having the same restaurant name but written in Hiragana. Same year in July, he reopened the restaurant in Minami-Asagaya and the renowned restaurant is always full of people.

With a strong passion for food since childhood, Mr. Ogura has been active both domestically and internationally.

He was born in 1967 in Hokkaido. Since his family was a caterer, he has had a strong interest in food since childhood. It naturally occurred to him that his future dream was to become a chef, and he entered the culinary world after graduating from school. He honed his skills mainly in Japanese restaurants and sushi restaurants. Since then, he has worked overseas, in Singapore and Germany, as well as in Niseko, Otaru, and Sapporo. Currently, he is active at Sushi Niebana, which opened in February 2023.

Mr. Fukumuro is creating a space that brings smiles to guests' faces.

He was born in 1983 in Tokyo. Admiring the owner of a sushi restaurant where he had a part-time job in high school, he aspired to become a sushi chef. After studying the basics at a culinary school, he trained at a major sushi restaurant. He worked hard to realize his dream of owning his restaurant and opened Rakuichi on June 18, 2024. Intending to pursue new culinary attractions while carrying on the traditions and techniques that he has cultivated, he is improving day by day.

 

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.

Enjoy a delicious experience of high-quality Kuroge Wagyu beef.

Mr. Ishizaki was born in 1969, in Sapporo, Hokkaido. In 1970, his grandfather started a butcher shop and associated farm. His parents then opened a sukiyaki (hot pot stew) and shabu-shabu (sliced meat parboiled with vegetables) restaurant, which led him to develop an interest in cooking. He decided to pursue cooking as a career upon graduating from high school, beginning his training in a teppanyaki (ingredients grilled on an iron griddle) restaurant. After honing his skills for over four years, he opened Steak&Wine Ishizaki in 2013. This restaurant delights its guests with its own high-quality Kuroge Wagyu beef dishes, including teppanyaki and roast beef.

The next-generation global culinary leader who creates each dish with a passion for the ingredients.

The next-generation global culinary leader who creates each dish with a passion for the ingredients. Fascinated by the meticulous and delicate cooking techniques and the history of French cuisine, he moved to France. He studied and honed his skills in restaurants in Burgundy and Provence.  After returning to Japan, he worked at several French restaurants before joining TRUNK HOTEL. In 2023, he became the chef of TRUNK (KITCHEN). With French techniques at his core, he offers dishes full of surprises and appealing dishes adapted to the diversity of today's circumstances.

Mr. Sugiyama promotes the appeal of Niigata Prefecture's food, colored by ingredients nurtured in a rich natural environment.

He was born in Niigata Prefecture. After graduating from culinary school, he worked at Niigata-no-Aji Seikoan restaurant in the Omotesando Niigata-kan N'espace, an antenna store that opened in Omotesando in 1997. He made efforts to promote Niigata Prefecture's charms, focusing on "food," including selling local products. Ginza Seikoan was relocated and reopened on July 7, 2024, as directly managed by Niigata Grand Hotel. He is demonstrating his skills there as the head chef manager.

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. 

A chef who trained in Canada for ten years thoroughly pursues European cuisine.

Mr. Ichinomiya was born in 1971 in Akita. As a child, he admired chefs he saw on TV and aspired to pursue a career in cooking. To grasp the essence of European flavors, he dedicated himself to thoroughly understanding Western cuisine, even excluding traditional Japanese seasonings from his personal life. During his ten years living in Canada, he honed his skills at several restaurants, including a steak house, and also gained management experience in franchise operations. He believes that assembling a dish is like working in four dimensions, and he cooks with respect not only for the taste but also for the country's unique culture.

Mr. Okuno presents his cultivated "depth" in the restaurant where "everyone is the main character."

He was born in 1972 in Wakayama. Raised in a ryotei restaurant, he studied business administration at a U.S. university and worked in the real estate industry before entering the culinary industry. He first served at an Italian restaurant in Tokyo and then moved to Italy. He returned to Japan after studying at eight restaurants in all regions of Italy. In 2003, he opened Ristrante la Brianza; it relocated to Roppongi Hills in 2016 as La Brianza. He then opened DepTH Brianza in Azabudai Hills in November 2023. In addition to his seven restaurants in Tokyo, he also produces restaurants and teaches cooking in Japan and abroad.

Mr. Nishida is a master chef who conveys Japan's traditions, nature, and spirit through seasonal cuisine.

He was born in Fukuoka. The owner of Shirogane Nishida. After graduating from culinary school, he trained at the famous Kyoto cuisine restaurant Yugyoan Tankuma Kitamise, where he learned traditional techniques and tastes. After returning home, he gained experience at the legendary restaurant, Teshimatei, then worked at Hakata Mizutaki Toriden and Nakashima-cho Club. In 2014, he launched his own restaurant and became independent. The restaurant has grown to the Michelin-starred reputation it is now. Under the motto, "a chef is an interpreter of the seasons," he serves seasonal delicacies to guests from Japan and abroad.

Mr. Washio produces an extraordinary time to enjoy creative Japanese cuisine and drinks.

He was born in Tokyo. Growing up watching his parents running an izakaya (Japanese-style pub), he naturally entered the culinary world. He was fascinated by the depth of Japanese cuisine, which makes the most of the richness of Japanese ingredients. After working at his parents' izakaya, he joined Koukian. His skillful technique of bringing out the best seasonal ingredients captivates his guests.

Mr. Yoshioka's restaurant is where the passion for making things grows, and sensibility takes shape.

Yoshioka was born in 1981 in Kyoto. Since his parents ran a restaurant business, he grew up with close access to cooking. Having had a strong interest in making things from childhood, he wanted to work at a job where he could create something on his own. After graduating from college, he gained experience in restaurants, and his desire to have a restaurant that offers cuisine that reflects his sensibilities became stronger. In 2017, he opened Maker, a restaurant that embodies his distinctive style.