Innovative Student-Created Recipes Take Center Stage at Supermarket Tasting Event

On November 16, 2025, the Mitzukan Group, in collaboration with Nippon Women’s University, hosted a special tasting event for the public at Life Supermarket in Sakurashinmachi. This initiative was part of their co-creation project, “Nippon Food,” aimed at bridging the gap between traditional Japanese cuisine and modern youth preferences.

At this event, approximately 100 customers had the chance to sample a student-developed recipe called “Anyone Can Make! One-Pan Potato Quiche.” Not only were the delicious meals served, but attendees could also engage in discussions about the recipes and the broader objectives of the “Nippon Food” project. In addition, over 170 recipe books featuring 14 different student-created recipes were distributed, allowing more individuals to explore the delicious world of Japanese-style cooking and its evolving nature.

The essence of the project is to create a friendly entry point for cooking among young people. By working together, the students crafted delicious dishes and brought them directly to the consumers, gathering valuable feedback and insights in a real-world setting. The tasting provided an important opportunity for students to learn firsthand how the public responds to their culinary creations.

Purpose Behind the Tasting and Recipe Book Distribution

The objectives behind this tasting event included:
1. To introduce the concept of “Nippon Food” to consumers through the developed recipes, making it more tangible and accessible.
2. To gather real reactions and feedback from consumers to inform future initiatives.

Students’ Reflections on the Event

Fourth-year student Ogawa, from the Food Science Department at Nippon Women’s University, expressed her joy in meeting consumers face-to-face. “In our prior activities, we brainstormed ways to promote ‘Nippon Food’ to the public through recipe development and information dissemination. Seeing customers genuinely engaged while tasting our recipe was a fulfilling experience,” she commented. “We were able to communicate the appeal and core features of ‘Nippon Food’ — which include convenience, seasonal ingredients, and community dining — and it was heartwarming to witness people’s enjoyment.”

Another student, Shinmura, shared similar sentiments, stating, “Hearing ‘Delicious!’ directly from the tasters filled me with a sense of accomplishment. Many visitors, including families and couples, highlighted the importance of communal dining, a key aspect of ‘Nippon Food.’ After explaining ‘seasonal ingredients’ and ‘convenience,’ several expressed their interest in trying the recipes at home. This experience made me realize the potential for ‘Nippon Food’ to reach a broader audience.”

Insights from Life Corporation

Ogawa from Life Corporation’s PR Department shared, “The tasting event provided a unique opportunity for students to hear direct feedback from customers, which is invaluable. Although our time was limited, we were able to distribute many recipe books, effectively promoting the ‘Nippon Food’ project. We remain committed to providing educational opportunities related to food and aspire for future talents to thrive across various fields.”

Pre-Event Educational Session

Before the tasting event, an educational session was held at Life Corporation’s headquarters to deepen mutual understanding. Students provided insights about the recipes while Mitzukan shared updates on their initiatives. During the session, two highlighted recipes, “Anyone Can Make! One-Pan Potato Quiche” and “Fall Flavors and Taiwanese Style! One-Pan Simultaneous Cooking! Japanese Lu Rou Fan” were sampled by various departments of Life. This exchange of ideas was not only insightful but emphasized the importance of contributing to the local community through food education and environmental learning.

This year, the initiative has once again focused on creating accessible recipes for young aspiring cooks.

For further details on this exciting project, visit Mitzukan's Official Announcement.