Mr. Yamaguchi is the head chef who established his own unique style of Kushiage preparation with Japanese soup stock.

He was born in 1943 in Kyoto. With strong encouragement from his aunt, he decided to become a chef. Entered the long-established Kushiage restaurant Shiruhisa, established in 1946, and began his full-fledged culinary training. Later, in 1982, he was involved in the launch of Rokuhara and became the manager and head chef. He has established an original style in which carefully selected ingredients are not skewered as they are but with a few extra touches. For more than 40 years, he has been at the forefront of preserving the taste of Rokuhara.

Mr. Owada is creating new landscapes in Roppongi's French cuisine with charming dishes that blend the classic and modern.

Mr. Owada was born in 1988 in Chiba Prefecture. Growing up watching his father, who was a French chef, he aimed to walk the same path. After graduating high school, he went to France, where he became accustomed to the food and culture of that country. He then studied under the chef Mr. Koji Watanabe at the famous Tokyo restaurant L'ecrin Ginza. After working in several restaurants, such as Quintessence in Kitashinagawa, Marche de Jyuban in Azabu-Juban, Le Bistro, and 336ebisu in Ebisu, he currently works at RRR Kobe Beef & Wine Otemachi.

Impressed by people enjoying his cooking, Mr. Hirukawa entered the culinary world.

He was born in 1961 in Kanagawa. Since childhood, he has loved to cook. When he served food to his friends and family, he was so happy to see them enjoy it that he decided to work at a Japanese restaurant to cook authentic Japanese cuisine. He trained in Japanese cuisine at such restaurants as Yokohama Kadoya Main Branch, Nagoya Seryna, Tsuruyoshi, Takahama, Ginza Kansai Kappo Amano, Kamakura Ayatei, and Kissyo Yokohama Branch. Currently, he is the head chef at Kioicho Hassan.

Pursuing Tuscan cuisine for over 50 years: bringing a traditional taste of Italy to Japan.

Mr. Virgiglio was born in 1951 in Lucca, Tuscany, Italy, where the main restaurant is located. He specializes in Tuscan cuisine, which he has been familiar with since childhood. He has been studying since the age of 17 in Italy and France. He devoted himself to learning in Italy at "San Domenico Palace Hotel", "Harry's Bar", "AL SORRISO", and other such famous Michelin-starred restaurants. In 1981, he became a chef at Sabatini di Firenze Tokyo branch. He brings Japan the spirit of orthodox Italian cuisine that emphasize unique ingredients.

Mr. Fujihira takes a new step forward as a restaurant owner, carrying a long-standing tradition.

He was born in 1990 in Tochigi. Born in a sushi restaurant in business since his grandfather's generation, he grew up close to cooking from an early age. After graduating from Musashino Cooking College, he trained at Sushi Tenkawa in Ginza, where he deepened his skills and knowledge. In 2011, he moved to Ebisu Hoshi, which opened as a branch in Ebisu and demonstrated his skills. In 2021, Hoshi took over the name of "Sushi Tenkawa," which was closed, and he became the owner of the newly born Sushi Tenkawa.

Becoming the forefront of French cuisine showing his identity in Asakusa, the hometown of the chef.

He was born in 1974 in Tokyo. After graduating from junior high school, he went to a cooking school and had training at restaurants in Tokyo. At the age of 24, he went to France to work for restaurants with the stars such as [Auberge de Cimes] in Paris and [Auberge La Feniere] in Southern France. After coming back to Japan, he worked at Tsukiji Fish Market for 1 year to save money, then opened [HOMMAGE] at the age of only 26. He is currently offering original French dishes that can be created only in Tokyo, in his hometown Asakusa.

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.

"Master of Aged Sushi" celebrated for patiently facing ingredients and accumulating experiments

Born in 1971 in Tokyo, Kimura Koji was born as a third generation of his family-business sushi restaurant. After having trained in his grandfather's restaurant and his uncle's, he entered the well-known tempura restaurant [Mikasa] just before opening his restaurant. As a result, this experience contributed greatly to his aged sushi, learning how to prepare ingredients without using water. Kimura established [Sushi Kimura] when he was 33 years old. Accumulating experiments for a long time, he invented a new genre of sushi,"Aged Sushi." After Michelin Guide 2013, [Sushi Kimura] has obtained two stars for 5 years straight.

Mr. Takahashi is a sushi master who preserves tradition while constantly pursuing new challenges.

He was born in 1973 in Tokyo. Fascinated with cooking from a young age, he aspired to pursue his career in the strict world of sushi chefs, which he saw in a documentary program. At 15, he began training at a renowned Ginza restaurant, gained experience in Ebisu and Akasaka, and finally branched out on his own at 32.  In 2019, he opened Sushi Yuumu in Nishiazabu. With an overwhelming spirit of inquiry and a hunger for excellence, he pursues umami to its utmost limits. He values tradition but is never afraid to innovate and consistently strives for new challenges.

 

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. Sato offers dishes full of flavor and warmth that both adults and children can enjoy.

He was born in 1991 in Hokkaido. Motivated by the desire to provide food that both children and adults can enjoy through nutritional education, he decided to become a chef. He acquired a wide range of culinary skills through five years of training at a Chinese restaurant and six years of experience in group meal preparation. Now, at Asahikawa Jingisukan Daikokuya Shinbashi, he is applying his expertise and skills to serve dishes that will satisfy his guests.

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.

Longing for a job as a "craftsman" who spends a lifetime pursuing one's technique.

Mr. Ueno was born in 1976 in Niigata. After 13 years of apprenticeship at a sushi restaurant in Setagaya, he opened his sushi restaurant, Sushi Gotoku, in Shibuya Kamiyama-cho. On its 10th anniversary, it relocated to its current location in the same Kamiyama-cho. He wanted to offer not only sushi but also a course menu with various dishes to enjoy, so he experienced various cuisines at other sushi restaurants, Japanese cuisine, and French cuisine for three months before opening the restaurant. Since the restaurant opened in 2007, he has attracted many customers by serving sushi and dishes such as terrine and mousse, a fusion of Japanese and French cuisine, matched with both sake and wine in the course.

Mr. Horinouchi provides guests with an exquisite Yakiniku experience through a wealth of knowledge.

With a love of cooking, he moved to Tokyo after graduating high school and entered the restaurant industry. After ten years of experience at a company that mainly operated izakaya (Japanese-style pubs), he turned to the world of yakiniku to deepen his knowledge of beef. Studying the parts of the meat, the way it is grilled, and changes in seasoning, he develops methods to determine the perfect timing for bringing deliciousness when serving.

Making the restaurant where customers can enjoy not only the taste but also the cooking scene.

Mr. Shio was born in 1990 in Chiba. After working at "Sabatini di Firenze Ginza branch" for two years, "Sabatini di Firenze Daimaru Tokyo branch" for four years, "Pub Cardinal Ginza" for two years, and "Pub Cardinal Marnouchi (PCM)" for four years, he has arrived at his current position. At "il Cardinale Akasaka," the open kitchen is a charming feature that makes interactions between guests and staff enjoyable. He aims to create a restaurant experience that is satisfying to the taste and enjoyable to watch with their open kitchen.

Mr. Morimoto traveled to the United States to witness the sushi boom with his own eyes, then became a chef who gained attention in Japan and the United States.

He is from Hiroshima. He gained fame as the third-generation "Iron Chef of Japanese cuisine" in the TV show "Iron Chef" and as the only Japanese chef in the American version, "Iron Chef America." He continues to enjoy immense popularity in the United States to this day. With numerous restaurants worldwide, including its flagship location designed by Mr. Tadao Ando, the New York branch has been adored by celebrities worldwide since its opening. The restaurant is located in Roppongi on Stars and Stripes Avenue and is personally curated by Mr. Morimoto himself.

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.

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.

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.

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.