The number of Japanese restaurants outside Japan has been continuously increasing since UNESCO designated traditional Japanese cuisine, washoku, as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. The growing popularity of Japanese cuisine overseas is supported by the daily efforts of non-Japanese chefs.
“Challenge! Taste of Japan 2025”, a competition for foreign chefs involved in Japanese cuisine as well as those interested in it, aims to promote the appeal of Japanese cuisine abroad. The competition provides participants with an opportunity to enjoy Japanese cuisine and develop new skills to enhance their cooking techniques.
Winners of each regional competition will be invited to Japan in February 2026 for training at renowned Japanese restaurant, ryotei. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to challenge yourself.
At the same time, we will hold a workshop for non-competition participants, in which you can learn authentic Japanese cooking techniques. Supporters of the competitors who are interested in Japanese cuisine are encouraged to attend.
JCDC aims to promote Japanese food and culinary culture worldwide. To this end, JCDC disseminates information, provides advice and guidance, and offers training programs to chefs in Japan and overseas.