Received the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Award and the Aichi Excellent Skilled Worker Award, "Master Craftsman of Aichi."

Head Chef of HILLS CLUB ANNEX SHIKIBUAN. Special Guest Lecturer at Aichi Cooking College. Practical Skills Instructor for Aichi Prefecture's Fugu (blowfish) Handling Examination.

Ms. Kanai brings her experience at a Sushi restaurant to Teppanyaki.

She gained ten years of training and experience in service and cooking at Sushi Irifune in Ito, Shizuoka. Later, she studied Teppanyaki and Western cuisine at Steak House Kanai Omuro-Kogen Branch. Her experience at the sushi restaurant has earned a reputation for her steaks and meat sushi, which are served with Amagi Wasabi from Amagi, Shizuoka Prefecture.

Pursuing sushi for 30 years.

Mr. Kanai was born in 1970 in Chiba. He trained for four years at a sushi restaurant in Aomori Prefecture and two years at a sushi restaurant in Miyagi Prefecture. Then, he entered his current restaurant, Irifune. As a sushi chef at the branch for 19 years, he has served delicious fish daily. 

Mr. Ueda thinks of his guests and delivers moments of joy.

He was born in 1973 in Aichi. After working part-time as a student, he chose to become a chef. He is currently working as a chef at Sakai, which inspired him to pursue a career in food and beverage. He coordinates excellent courses, which are derived from the selected ingredients of each day, to suit each guest without being restricted by the menu. Creating a restaurant where customers can enjoy more than just eating is important to him.

Challenging the world of eel cuisine with a new heart as a chef.

Mr. Kato was born in 1971 in Hokkaido. After graduating high school, he entered Tsuji Culinary Institute Osaka with a deep passion for cooking. Then, he trained at a restaurant in Kurashiki through the introduction of Mr. Tamura, the executive chef of Japanese cuisine at Hotel New Otani Osaka. At Foresta Hills in Toyota City, he met Mr. Mizogami, whom he looks up to as his mentor. After working at Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel for 19 years, he moved to Unawa Izumi in August 2023. He currently serves as the restaurant's manager.

Mr. Ishigaki is a chef who utilizes his overseas experience while maintaining meticulous hospitality.

He was born in 1974 in Fukuoka. Grew up watching his father, who was a chef. After joining a company specializing in Japanese cuisine, he worked in domestic branches and overseas establishments in places like Guam and Hong Kong. He learned English and Cantonese among local staff to give instructions as a manager. Even today, smooth communication is possible for ordering and daily conversation. In 2022, he joined Unagi Ryori Sandaime Unatou Nakagawa Main Branch Established in Showa 44 (1969). As a manager and cook, he organizes the restaurant.

Mr. Sakakima offers impressive dishes with the miracle of local ingredients. The taste of Gifu captivates the world.

Mr. Sakakima was born in 1988 in Tokyo. While living in Tokyo, he visited Gifu and decided to pursue a career in food after having a meal at Amiyaki-tei. After that, he moved to Gifu and trained at Amiyaki-tei, which he longed for. In 2019, he started a new challenge at Horutanya. In 2023, he moved to the current restaurant, Horutanya Sakae Branch, managing the restaurant as a restaurant manager.

From the food perspective, Mr. Tanaka conveys the charm of his hometown, Hida Takayama.

He is from Gifu. An experienced chef who has built a career focusing on Japanese cuisine. He is currently the head chef at Aji no YOHEI. Hida Takayama is an important hometown for him. He conveys the charm of his hometown from the perspective of food.

Born and raised at the foot of Mt. Fuji, Mr. Yamada experienced from French cuisine in a three-star hotel to a casual izakaya pub.

He was born in 2003 in Yamanashi. Born and raised in Yamanakako Village at the foot of Mt. Fuji, he worked in a French restaurant in a three-star hotel for three years after graduating from high school. Since then, he has experienced not only high-end restaurants but also casual izakaya and has tried various genres of cuisine. Currently, he is a chef at Kaisen Dokoro Fuji.

Stimulating all five senses with perfect ingredients.

Mr. Kunihiro Kosuge was born in 1970 in Aichi Prefecture. He got his start in the restaurant business working part-time at a hotel restaurant during high school, preparing French cuisine. After working at [Nagoya Fuji Park Hotel] and [BISTRO Ciel], he moved to [Yoshino], where he discovered teppanyaki (ingredients grilled on an iron griddle). He currently works as a chef at [Teppan-yaki Madoi], where he endeavors to stimulate all five senses with high-quality ingredients and a live, personal experience.

Mr. Miyazawa offers a blissful cup of sake in an extraordinary, high-quality space where one can relax from the bottom of one's heart.

He was born in 1977 in Tokyo. He became fascinated with bartending at his part-time job as a college student and aspired to become a bartender.  In 2003, he won the top prize in the Suntory Cocktail Award category, and in 2005 and 2007, he was a prize winner. In 2009, he won the Healing Cherry Cocktail Competition World Championship. Then, in 2010, he opened Bar Orchard Night in Awaji-cho, Kanda. In 2012, he established Orchard Night Inc. As of 2024, he manages 10 bars and is also working to promote non-alcoholic cocktails.

 

Trained in hotels and restaurants in Japan and three-star restaurants in France, Mr. Sawabe worked as a chef in various hotels and restaurants. In Japan's Hokuriku region, he has served at Kanazawa PREEMINENCE and Yoichi Sanso Auberge de Mikuni. Sympathizing with the concept of "A la ferme de Shinjiro," under the guidance of Mr. Shinjiro Imura, he creates French cuisine at traditional wooden townhouses in Kanazawa.

After working in various genres, Mr. Yamada's challenge is to promote the appealing food and culture of his hometown.

He was born in 1990 in Gifu. His career in the restaurant industry began at an Italian restaurant in Nagoya. From the age of 21, he took on a managerial position. From age 25, he worked as a head chef at a dining bar and bistro in Nagoya. After that, he returned to his hometown and once left the restaurant industry, but returned to it again at the age of 32 when Stake Creation Company started up its restaurant division. In 2024, Hidagyu Sukiyaki Nakabashi Wakachiya opened. He is now promoting the fascinating food and culture of his hometown.

A father and daughter take on a new challenge.

For more than 50 years, Mr. Shimizu has been making sushi at Akame Sushi, which has been loved by locals and tourists in front of Kanazawa Station. Responding to the voices of guests who want to drink in a relaxed atmosphere, enjoy meat dishes as well as fish, and relax with loved ones, he opened Sushi Sukiyaki Akamechan on March 1, 2023. He is trying out his new dream by teaming up with his daughter, who is challenging herself in the restaurant business from a different industry, hoping to cheer up people of her generation.

Experienced as manager of a high-end teppanyaki restaurant overseas. Returning to the restaurant industry with a passion for customer service.

Mr. Inoue was born in 1971 in Hyogo. During his junior high school years, he met an English teacher who had spent a lot of time abroad, which triggered his yearning to live abroad. At 20, he started working at a high-end teppanyaki restaurant in Germany and became the manager at 23. After returning to Japan, he took on a sales position in the wine industry but couldn't forget the appeal of working in the restaurant industry. In 2007, he joined Amiyaki Tei Co., Ltd. and gained experience as a manager in various locations. In January 2024, he was appointed as the manager of the Meieki Nishi branch of WAGYU YAKINIKU HYAKUMEIZAN and continues to work there.

Aim to become the specialist in eel cuisine by impressing with appeal of eel

He was born on January 1, 1981 in Aichi Prefecture. Worked part-time in the main restaurant at age 16. He began to take an interest in the profound taste of Japanese eel as he was working and thus decided to specialize in it. With his love for cooking since young, he was recommended by his father to enroll in a cooking school.After graduation, he became an employee of Bincho. After gaining experience working in the main restaurant for 3 years, the Lachic blanch for 10 years, and the Esca blanch for 2 years, he was transferred to the current Dai Nagoya Building Restaurant. As a specialist in eel cuisine, he continues to polish his skills on a daily basis.

High-quality ingredients have been familiar to Mr. Kobayashi since he was a boy. After working in a butcher store, he decided to pursue a career in food and beverage.

He was born in 1977 in Aichi. His father owned a butcher store, and quality meat has been close to his heart since he was a boy. He started working part-time at a butcher store at 16 and was later hired as a regular staff member. After ten years of working in a face-to-face sales-style butcher store, he started his career in the restaurant business. Following working at Wagyu Yakiniku Kojiro, the predecessor of his current restaurant, he became the manager of Naizou Yakiniku Senmon Kimoyakiya. He continues to convey the appeal of offal meat to many people daily.

Mr. Morioka is a chef who carefully grills eels with passion and artisan skill.

He was born in 1968 in Aichi. A chef from a famous restaurant at the time often visited his parents' restaurant, and he became interested in cooking because of his admiration for the chef. Started his career as a chef in earnest at Atsuta Houraiken. After that, he studied at APA Hotel Nagoya Nishiki and was appointed head of the food and beverage department at Estate Takara Co., Ltd. He moved to  Sumiyaki Hitsumabushi Unagi Munagi with its opening in 2021. He is on the front line of grilling eel every day to master the technique further.

Ms. Sakamoto has dedicated herself to honing her skills as a cook and continues to pursue the essence of Japanese cuisine.

She has loved cooking since she was a child and joined Maruya Honten upon graduation from high school. While learning the basics of Japanese cuisine, she made her way to becoming an eel chef. She has experience in most of the restaurant's branches and is now the head chef. With her many years of experience, she works daily to satisfy her guests further.