Each finalist to receive a special online lesson with a top Japanese chef
All six lessons to be live streamed for audiences around the world
Washoku World Challenge, the international Japanese cuisine contest organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, is delighted to announce the six finalists for its 9th edition.
They are:
- Mr Wing Chun Wilson CHAN – Kiyoi Inc, USA
- Mr Mike CHU Pui Hei – MIZUTANI at ALVA HOTEL BY ROYAL, Hong Kong
- Mr Evandro Hidetoshi KAWANAMI – YUNAGI EDOMAE-ZUSHI, Brazil
- Ms LEE Hyeon Jeong – NAKAMURA ACADEMY, South Korea
- Mr Paride PASETTI – Maru, UK
- Mr YANG Peishih – Tsukiyoiwa, Taiwan
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the final tournament, which had been planned to be held in Tokyo, has been cancelled. In its place, the six finalists will have the opportunity to attend a special online lesson with a top Japanese Chef, where they will receive advice on the recipes and dishes they each submitted in the video screening round of the contest. The dishes presented by the 2021 finalists are as follows:
Comments from Head Judge, Mr. Yoshihiro MURATA were filmed and are available to watch here:
An accompanying film featuring photos of the finalists and their culinary creations, together with comments on each of the dishes from the Judges, is available to watch here:
All six finalists will now enjoy a special online lesson with one of three top Japanese Chefs: Head Judge, Mr. Yoshihiro MURATA (Owner & Chef of Kikunoi, Chairman of Japanese Culinary Academy and Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador*), Mr. Hideaki MATSUO (Owner and Chef of Japanese Cuisine Kashiwaya in Osaka and Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador*), and Mr. Kimio NONAGA (Third generation Owner and Chef of Nihonbashi Yukari in Tokyo and Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador*).
These special online lessons will offer each finalist an exceptional opportunity to receive advice from a top Japanese Chef. Furthermore, and for the first time in the history of the contest, these special online lessons will be live-streamed and open to audiences around the world. All six will be free to watch online, available to enjoy live or on-demand on the Washoku World Challenge YouTube channel. The schedule of the lessons is as follows:
| Date & time of the live streaming: | Chef: | Finalists: |
| Monday 7 February 4am-5:30am (GMT) 1pm-2:30pm (JST) |
Mr Hideaki MATSUO | Mr Mike CHU Pui Hei |
| Monday 7 February 7am-8:30am (GMT) 4pm-5:30pm (JST) |
Mr Hideaki MATSUO | Mr Paride PASETTI |
| Thursday 17 February 5:30-7am (GMT) 2:30pm-4pm (JST) |
Mr Yoshihiro MURATA | Mr Wing Chun Wilson CHAN |
| Thursday 17 February 9am-10:30am (GMT) 6pm-7:30pm (JST) |
Mr Yoshihiro MURATA | Mr Evandro Hidetoshi KAWANAMI |
| Sunday 20 February 4am-5:30am (GMT) 1pm-2:30pm (JST) |
Mr Kimio NONAGA | Ms LEE Hyeon Jeong |
| Sunday 20 February 7am-8:30am (GMT) 4pm-5:30pm (JST) |
Mr Kimio NONAGA | Mr YANG Peishih |
For further information on Washoku World Challenge, visit: https://washoku-worldchallenge.jp/9th/en/ or follow us: @WashokuWorldChallenge on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
* Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassadors are appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to help spread the pleasure and passion for Japanese food and dietary culture, both at home and abroad.