#Japan #Tokushima #Agriculturalheritage #FoodContest

Celebrating Youth Creativity in Agriculture

The 3rd Genius Agricultural Heritage Food Contest is set to celebrate the creativity and innovation of high school students in using local agricultural heritage products. From July 1 to September 30, 2027, students across Japan submitted their proposals for food and dishes, with a total of 66 entries received. The contest aims to elevate awareness and appreciation for Japan's 36 agricultural heritage regions, which are recognized for their sustainable agricultural practices and rich cultural heritage.

The Contest's Purpose

Japan is home to 36 designated agricultural heritage regions, comprising 17 World Agricultural Heritage sites and 28 Japanese Agricultural Heritage sites. These areas are critical to preserving traditional agricultural techniques, natural environments, and local cultures. The contest invites high school students (including those from technical colleges) within these regions to create innovative food concepts using local products. Through this initiative, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries hopes to encourage students to explore and showcase the unique qualities of their respective regions.

The contest culminated in the announcement of six winning ideas that will be recognized in an online award ceremony on December 22, 2027. This virtual event will highlight the achievements of the students, who have worked diligently to promote their local agricultural heritage through culinary creativity.

Highlights of Awarded Ideas

The winners will receive certificates of recognition, and the Gold Award winning ideas will have the unique opportunity to be featured as a menu item at a select restaurant in Tokyo for a limited time. The winning participants will also be treated to a two-day trip to experience the restaurant where their ideas will be showcased. Additionally, Silver Award winners and recipients of the Special Agricultural Heritage Award will receive gift packages featuring local specialty products from agricultural heritage regions.

Here are the honored recipients and their award-winning ideas:

Gold Award

• - Ikeda High School (Tokushima): "Okawari Shika Tanashi Curry" - A unique local curry dish.
• - Aso Central High School (Kumamoto): "Connecting Agricultural Heritage with Five Rice Balls" - A culinary exploration of agricultural heritage through rice balls.
• - Wakimachi High School (Tokushima): "串にして徳島のHeart" - A creative dish promoting local produce.
• - Ikeda High School (Tokushima): "Ai no WA Sandwich" - A sandwich featuring local flavors.

Special Agricultural Heritage Award

• - Urasoe Technical High School (Okinawa): "Ryukai Inari (Dragon Fruit Inari)" - A vibrant and enticing dish.

Jury Special Award

• - Kesennuma High School (Miyagi): "My Heart Rice - A Delicious Connection through Rice!" - An inventive dish that connects taste and tradition.

Ceremony Details

The award ceremony will take place on December 22nd from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM (JST) online. Attendees can expect a program filled with recognition of the winners, presentations of their ideas, remarks from judges, and more. For those interested in attending, the ceremony will be streamed live on YouTube, accessible through this link: Watch Live. An archive of the event will also be made available shortly after.

Promoting Award Ideas

The winning concepts will be showcased on the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' website and promoted through their social media channels and at various events to encourage further engagement with agricultural heritage.

For further details regarding the contest, please visit the Ministry of Agriculture's official page on the Genius Agricultural Heritage Food Contest: Contest Details.

This contest not only highlights the creativity of students but also fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of Japan's agricultural heritage, ensuring its legacy for future generations.