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.

The joy of making delicious pasta paved the way to becoming a chef.

While working part-time at a restaurant to earn a living, Mr. Endo became interested in how to make delicious pasta. The intense joy he experienced in the process changed his career path and made him decide to become a chef. After training at the Michelin-starred Schoneck, he worked as a chef in various locations before opening Evoluzione in Ibaraki at 40. In 2022, he took over as chef at  WAJO. His philosophy is to make the joy of others his own and to provide happiness through his cooking.

Mr. Soga celebrates life as a chef every moment so as not to have any regrets.

Mr. Soga was born in 1976 in Kanagawa. Admiring the manager of the restaurant he worked at part-time as a high school student, he aimed to become a chef. After gaining experience, on January 8, 2021, he joined TeppanYaki KOBE Beef Steak EBISU84 as an assistant at the same time the restaurant opened. Currently, he is the backbone of the store and manages it. 

Mr. Kaneko became familiar with cooking while growing up with a grandmother who was a home economics teacher.

He led the "Azabudai Series" to receive one Michelin star for three consecutive years. He was born in 1988. He honed his skills at Heichinro, Japan's oldest established restaurant, and at SENSE, the Michelin-starred restaurant in Mandarin Oriental Tokyo. The restaurant offers a multi-course meal featuring a variety of small dishes that blend traditional Cantonese cuisine with spices from various Asian countries that the chef learned during his overseas training, paired with wines recommended by the chef, who is also a certified sommelier. He was appointed the head chef of "Series the sky", the second restaurant in the Series.

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. Takada makes the most of his experience and welcomes guests with dishes prepared with care and attention to detail.

He was born in 1971 in Miyazaki. He trained in the Western food department of a hotel. After working at Patisserie in Jiyugaoka, he served as a sous chef at an embassy in Aoyama Tokyo, learning French cuisine and cuisine from all over the world. After serving as a sous chef at an Italian restaurant in Tokyo and working at "Ore no French" and "Ore no Italian" affiliated restaurants, he joined the current company in October 2019. He is a general manager of the cooking department of restaurants such as REGINA and Ryuduki TEPPAN.  

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.

A Tempura and Sushi master offers a new impression through skills accumulated from the age of 16.

Mr. Murata was born in 1982 in Shizuoka. Raised in a family of sushi chefs, he began his apprenticeship at the age of 16 at his family's. At a Michelin two-star tempura restaurant, he learned the essentials of tempura by watching and learning directly from the master next to the main counter. After that, he thoroughly mastered fish preparation and aging skills at a one-star sushi restaurant. Seeking to explore a different angle from tempura, he honed his unique sensibility in the world of sushi. His dishes are the result of his broad experience and deep inquisitiveness, reflecting his respect for the ingredients and his mastery of cooking.

Mr. Kawasaki is a chef who presents the charm of Yakiniku, which continues to evolve.

He was born in 1976 in Hokkaido. Specializing in meat dishes, he has extensively researched meat connoisseurship and cooking methods. His career as a chef began at Brasserie Tablose in Daikanyama, Tokyo.  After that, he became the chef of the French restaurant Stellato in Shirokane. He then moved to the French restaurant Stellato in Shirokane, Tokyo. Then, he served as sous chef at Ogasawara Hakushakutei and as chef at both AW Kitchen and BLT STEAK TOKYO. In 2019, he was appointed as chef of Nishiazabu Yakiniku TEN, which further explores the appeal of yakiniku.

Following his parents' footsteps, Mr. Shibata entered the rewarding world of the food and beverage industry.

He was born in 2001 in Hokkaido. Developed an interest in the culinary world after seeing his parents working in a restaurant. Since then, he nurtured a deep admiration for the world of cooking and decided to follow the same path. Graduated from Hakodate Culinary School and began as part-time staff when the Asahikawa Jingisukan Daikokuya Hakodate Goryokaku Branch opened. He became interested in the charm of Jingisukan, customer service, and how to approach meat, leading him to join the company as a full-time employee.

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.

 

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.

Mr. Watanabe is an expert Edomae Sushi chef who has been challenged for over 20 years in Hong Kong.

He was born in 1974 in Tochigi. Influenced by his father, who ran a sushi restaurant, he decided to pursue the same career. At the age of 23, after gaining experience in Ginza, he had an opportunity to go to Hong Kong. He started working at Japanese Restaurant Kenjo, a pioneering sushi restaurant. Eventually, he took on the responsibility of a branch store. As a result, he continued to serve the restaurant with excellent skills for 21 years. He returned to Japan in 2018. In January 2024, he started as the head chef at Sushi -HAN-.

Mr. Tanaka is a "master of meat" who dedicates his life to offering the finest taste.

He was born in 1967 in Gifu Prefecture. As the eldest son of a family where his grandfather was a beef farmer and his father was a butcher, he has held a knife and handled meat since he was 10. He dreamed of becoming a restaurant chef from an early age, then opened his first Yakiniku restaurant at 25. His unique world view of menu structure and store design became the talk of the town, and he has opened 18 meat restaurants in Tokyo, Nagoya, Gifu, and Shiga. In particular, NIKUYA Setsugekka in Nagoya was listed in the "Michelin Guide Aichi, Gifu, and Mie 2019 Special Edition". It has also won consecutive "Tabe-Log" awards and is gaining popularity.

Mr. Abe continues to refine the technique of cutting meat for better taste by distinguishing the quality of meat.

He was born in 1991 in Miyagi. Moved to Tokyo after graduating from university. While working at high-end Japanese black beef yakiniku restaurants such as Ushinokura and Ushikuro, he became fascinated with the world of " artisanship," which involves refined techniques that determine the deliciousness of yakiniku, including how to select high-quality meat and how to cut meat without putting stress on it. He has been the head chef at Yakiniku Mochio since its opening, sharing Mr. Kitano's passion for "high-quality meat with better taste."

Skills sharpened at a quality restaurant in Spain, and a profound knowledge about Japanese ingredients.

Born in 1978, he supported his parents who was running a guest house where he familiarized himself with cooking. Graduating cooking school in Barcelona, he built up his career at 1 star [L'Esguard] and other restaurants. At [Neichel], one of the most famous restaurant in Spain, he experienced being a chef of all sections, and assistant chef. In 2008, he became an executive chef at [Mugaritz], and at OGASAWARA-HAKUSHAKU-TEI in 2009. Pursuit of unique Spanish based on Spanish cooking tradition evolved with Japanese ingredients supports the star rating for the 8th straight year.

A young chef leading a new style of oden restaurant.

Mr. Kobayashi was born in 2002 in Fujimino-shi, Saitama. He graduated from culinary school and honed his skills through experiences in Italian and Japanese cuisine. Since February 2024, he has been the chef at Toyosu Kinpura, bringing vitality to the restaurant. With a desire to offer oden to visitors from overseas as well, he welcomes guests with meticulous preparation every day. His sincerity shines through in both the dishes he serves and his approach to customer service. He welcomes guests every day with careful preparation as he wants "visitors from overseas to enjoy Oden as widely as possible." His sincerity shines through in both the dishes he serves and his approach to customer service. This young chef's honesty is reflected in the cooking he serves and the service he provides to customers.

Mr. Furuta decided to become a craftsman to acquire expertise and entered the culinary world.

Mr. Minoru Furuta was born in 1965 in Saitama. He studied under Mr. Bardi at Sabatini di Firenze Tokyo for 16 years, then worked as a sous chef at Sabatini di Firenze Daimaru Tokyo branch for 7 years. After that, he studied traditional cuisine and became a sous chef at Sabatini di Firenze Daimaru Tokyo in 2007 for 7 years. In 2014, he became a head chef at the Western-style restaurant Ginza Grill Cardinal. Then, he was appointed head chef at Sabatini di Firenze Daimaru Tokyo in 2020.

Mr. Iwamoto is an experienced chef who has been involved in food from various aspects.

He was born in 1971 in Tokyo. He had worked as a chef at "SARA" in Aoyama, Tokyo. He then became involved in the launch of "Table Modern Service," where he assisted in the operation and menu development of various restaurants, starting with its production business. After that, he worked at "Tokyo American Club" and is currently a chef at "Kagurazaka Shabu-shabu Fuga." His diverse menu, ranging from simple dishes that best use quality ingredients to creative dishes, has delighted many people.

Starting as a chef at a hotel, Mr. Kobayashi studied at various places in Tokyo before coming to Fukuwauchi.

He was born in 1980 in Osaka. At the age of 18, he started working in a restaurant. He then began his career in earnest as a hotel chef, working at "Hotel The Manhattan" in Kaihin-Makuhari, where he was in charge of kaiseki cuisine. After that, he gained experience as a chef in Tokyo and was employed at the Fukuhauchi, which was then located in Shinbashi, where he eventually came to be in charge of the restaurant's management. After relocating to Muromachi, the restaurant has now reopened as Muromachi Fukuhauchi.