Trained in Kyoto, France, and Shima.

Mr. Yamada joined Miyako Hotel in 1988. In 1993, he moved to France, where he studied in three- and two-star restaurants for about two years. After returning to Japan, he became the chef of the restaurant Grand View and the contemporary French restaurant Espoir in 2002. In 2009, he became the owner-chef of the restaurant Grand View. In 2016, he was appointed head chef at Shima Kanko Hotel's The Club; in 2019, he became head chef and head of the food and beverage department. In 2020, he opened La Cuisine Enju.

As he built his career, Mr. Seya chose to become a professional chef to utilize the skills and sensitivities he had cultivated.

He was born in 1976 in Chiba. When he was in high school, he worked part-time at Funachu, which led him to pursue a career as a chef. At first, it was just a job, but as he learned culinary skills, he became fascinated with the depth of cooking, and 30 years passed. Currently, he is fully demonstrating his experience and passion at the Funachu Asakusa-hanakawado branch, which opened in May 2018.

He was brought up with home-grown vegetables, fruits, and rice, and always felt close to food

He was born in Saitama in 1960. He moved to Tokyo when he was 18 years old, after working part-time in a western style restaurant, he made up his mind to live as a chef. He was trained by chef Sakai of [La Rochelle] for 10 years beginning in 1987. On his days off, he deepened his knowledge of ingredients at a specialized butcher and Tsukiji fish market. During that time he had experienced as chef at the official residence of the Japanese ambassador as well as being in charge of catering for the Consulate General. In 1992 he started his training again under chef Sakai and in 2004 started working at [PIZZA HOUSE]. In 2015 he became the third head of the company, now he is playing an active role as an owner chef who both serves customers and  develops new menus.

The elegant kaiseki cuisine prepared by techniques cultivated over many years fascinates guests.

Mr. Akaishi was born in 1973. He became interested in cooking when preparing dinner for his working parents. Following high school graduation, he enrolled in a specialized culinary school. After completing his studies, he worked at the renowned Japanese confectionery shop Ginza Seigetsudo before joining Ryotei Omiya ICHI-NO-YA at age 21. Once he left his job, he gained a lot of experience, including at the CITY CLUB OF TOKYO, a members-only club in the Embassy of Canada. Fate brought him back to ICHI-NO-YA at the age of 36, where he rose to the position of head chef at 45. He is a chef who attracts guests with dishes that are filled with tradition.

Mr. Tamoto serves Japanese cuisine that is rooted in himself as his identity.

He was born in 1996 in Fukuoka. After graduating from high school, he moved to Kyoto to pursue a career in Japanese cuisine. After three years of training at a famous ryotei restaurant, he moved his base to Tokyo in 2017. He continued his studies at several restaurants and served as a personal chef for VIP clients from Japan and abroad in 2023. In 2024, he was appointed as the head chef of Ginza Yukari. His memories of Japanese cuisine, such as flavoring and seasonings, were deeply accumulated while growing up. The nostalgia for the deliciousness of Japanese cuisine is a source of pride for him as a Japanese chef, with which he continues to work hard every day.

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.

Creating a fine dish to go along with the special time of the guests. He welcomes his guests by cooking dishes with his heart

Mr. Takeuchi was born in 1973 in Kagoshima. In his elementary school graduation essay, he wrote that he dreamed of becoming a chef. He studied cooking at the culinary department of Kagoshima Josei High School. After graduating, he began working in Osaka and returned to Kagoshima after several years. At Kagoshima, he trained at two hotels and became the head chef for Western food at the second hotel. At the age of 39, he started working at Kagoshima Karen. Now he is in his 3rd year as head chef at the Karen Hakata Branch. He prepares each dish with all his heart to please his customers.

The desire to challenge new things made who he is today.

Born in 1958 in Nagasaki Prefecture. Thanks to his father, who was a chef specializing in Japanese cuisine at an inn, he had an interest in cooking from a young age. After graduating from a culinary institute in Osaka, he trained at several Japanese restaurants, such as Tsuruya in Osaka. He eventually returned to his hometown and opened a restaurant there, but later moved to Okinawa for a new adventure. While working at a restaurant in Okinawa, he met the owner of [wa no mi] and was asked to become a chef there.

Mr. Hiramoto offers superb dishes that make the most of Hokkaido ingredients with techniques honed in the world of sushi artisans.

He was born in 1969 in Chitose, Hokkaido. He is an experienced chef who has been honing his skills in the world of artisan chefs since his teenage years. After working as a chef at a sushi restaurant in Otaru for 20 years, he has worked at many restaurants in Hokkaido, mainly sushi restaurants. Currently, he is the chef at Ryokichi, serving a varied menu that makes the most of Hokkaido ingredients, including those from Yoichi.

 

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.

Serves delicious dishes that make the most of the flavors of seasonal ingredients.

Mr. Sumiya was born in 1960 in Aichi and raised in a fishing family. His parents' house also ran an agriculture business, so high-quality fish and vegetables were always close to him. So, he naturally entered the culinary world because of his interest in food. After graduating from high school, he worked at a Japanese restaurant and then honed his skills in Japanese cuisine at various restaurants, such as Japanese restaurants and Kaiseki restaurants. In 2007, he opened his dream restaurant, Otobashi Sumiya. Every day, he devotes himself to "creating a restaurant where diners can fully enjoy the season's delicacies."

An expert connoisseur of meat and responsible for menu development for the Osakaya Group.

Mr. Komatsu was born in 1974 in Nagasaki-shi, Nagasaki. Joined Osakaya Hamanomachi Branch at its opening. He is a skilled connoisseur who has been taking responsibility for the Osakaya Group's purchasing. Without compromising on purchasing, he has developed dishes that will please customers with his steady attitude as a chef.

After working as a fisherman, Mr. Maeda became independent and now offers the fisherman's Makanai menu at his izakaya.

He was born in 1956 in Hokkaido. Since childhood, he had been on board his family's boat, which is a fishing business. During the 10 years he helped in the family business, he made lunch boxes and makanai (meals for the crew). After working as a fisherman, he began training as a chef at a skewer restaurant in Yokohama. Finding it rewarding to see guests happy when he served fish dishes, he returned to Hakodate to start his own business. His fisherman's makanai menu such as "Chanchan-yaki (grilled fish and vegetables with miso)," "Burikama (grilled yellowtail collar)," and "Jaga-bata shiokara (potatoes with butter and salted squid guts)" are very popular. 

Aiming to become an expert, Mr. Hasumi entered the culinary profession.

He was born in 1967 in Tokyo. He thought that acquiring expertise, instead of being a general office worker, would give him much hope in his life, so he went into the world of cooking after graduating from school. He trained at yakiniku restaurants, as he had been working part-time at a yakiniku restaurant during his school days. As his career progressed, he gained more and more trust and worked in many restaurants. After that, he joined Create Dining inc. He is currently serving as the head chef at Rikyu Shinjuku Island Tower.

Mr. Terada knows the joy of customer service and brings pleasure to guests with a smile.

He was born in 1990 in Tokyo. A part-time job he started in high school brought him to the fascination of the food and beverage industry. After five years of part-time work, he was promoted to manager, a position he held for six years. Later, he became interested in serving customers at Izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) and moved to his current company to gain more experience. He acquired more experience in affiliated restaurants and now manages the Yakitori Shochan Roppongi Branch as a manager.

Growing up close to the world of cooking led to the decision to become a chef at age 15.

Mr. Kawano was born in 1983 in Fukuoka Prefecture. His parents worked in the food industry, so he grew up close to the world of cooking. He started on the path of becoming a chef after graduating from junior high school, when he began working at several kappo (casual course-style Japanese cuisine) restaurants to brush up on his skills, including the long-established Japanese restaurant Nadaman. At its opening in 2020, he became the head chef of Kairi. He has created an exquisite menu for the restaurant, with dishes such as their signature sushi and teppanyaki (iron griddle grilling) made with premium ingredients. It has garnered attention from many people thanks to the ingredient selection and gorgeous presentation, laid out in a manner that can only be seen in Japanese cooking.

Culinary career built up by experiences supported by lucky encounters at various prestigious restaurants

Born in 1973 in Shizuoka Prefecture. After graduating from a senior high school, he entered a company, but changed his career to pursue his childhood dream to be a chef. He started working at a western restaurant, where he was fascinated with French cuisine. When he was 22, he went to France and spent 5 years and a half to build up his experience at various places such as a three stars restaurant [Georges Blanc] in Paris, [Hostellerie Due Vieux Moulin] in Bourgogne, and [Saint James] in Bordeaux. After returning to Japan, he entered a famous French restaurat "Kitajimatei". 3 years later, he became independent and opened a small bistro in downtown. In 2012, he opened [Virbius].

Charcoal grills connect people. Diverse experiences create a unique taste and sense of wonder.

Mr. Sho Kato was born in 1990 in Kyoto. After graduating high school, he started his culinary journey, gaining ten years of experience at a yakitori restaurant, Yakitori Daikichi. He then broadened his expertise by exploring various culinary fields, including ramen and yakiniku. In March 2024, he fulfilled his dream of opening his own yakitori restaurant, Sumibiyaki Koteppan Kiyamachi, in Kawaramachi, Kyoto. By November, he expanded with a second restaurant, Yakitori to Sousakusumibiyaki Kokoko. As a chef-owner, he continually seeks to discover new culinary delights, drawing from his vast experiences and refined skills.

He has been working exclusively at [Kushi-no-Bo] as he first started as part-time worker, to become a real professional chef of deep-fried skewers.

He was born in 1973 in Hyogo prefecture. When he worked part-time at [Kushi-no-Bo] in Kitashinchi, he found the joy of cooking, and became a full-time employee to be a [real professional chef of deep-fried skewers]. He has been working for more than 20 years exclusively for cooking [deep-fried skewers] using seasonal ingredients, currently as a chef and the manager. He carefully prepares skewers one by one focusing on making a good balance between the ingredient and batter, while keeping the oil fresh for frying skewers. He keeps offering just-cooked hot skewers fried with exquisite timing to bring out the original savory taste of the ingredients with a crispy texture.

Mr. Kadono chose a way to work with her own skills through his experience with a part-time job in high school.

He was born in April 1973 in Hyogo. Experienced in the food and beverage industry as a part-time job in high school. He had been a salaried employee of a large company but quit because he wanted to work with his own skills. Having good seniors, he trained and studied Western cuisine, Japanese cuisine, French cuisine, and handmade soba (buckwheat noodles). Since 2014, he has been the head chef of the affiliated restaurant Fujino. Currently, he is also the head chef of foujita. While utilizing his French experience, he opens up new Japanese and Western cuisine.