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Kyuushoku no Tetsujin® 2025: A Culinary Challenge for Early Childhood Institutions

The much-anticipated Kyuushoku no Tetsujin® 2025 culinary contest is officially open for participation! Designed for the cooking staff of kindergartens, certified child care centers, and nursery schools across Japan, this contest aims to promote nutritious meal preparation for children while fostering creativity and teamwork.

What is Kyuushoku no Tetsujin?

Founded with the mission of supporting the growth of children through well-balanced meals, Kyuushoku no Tetsujin® is a nationwide cooking competition that encourages teams of nutritionists, chefs, and assistants from various educational institutions to showcase their culinary skills. Participants are invited to compete based on their ability to create delicious and appealing meals that are both nutritious and easy to replicate.

Contest Theme and Details

For the 2025 edition, contestants will focus on recipes featuring sweet potatoes and pumpkins as the main ingredients. The submission period runs from June 6 (Friday) to September 30 (Tuesday), allowing participants an ample timeframe to prepare their dishes.

Contest Overview

• - Theme: Main dishes using sweet potatoes and pumpkins.
• - Submission Period: June 6 - September 30, 2025

Teams will have the opportunity to showcase their winning dishes, with last year’s champion being the Yume no Ki Nursery from Suginami, Tokyo, who took home the prestigious Tokyo Governor's Award in 2024.

Prizes for the Winners

The winning team and four runner-ups will not only receive certificates and trophies but will also be awarded significant prizes. These include:

• - A ¥100,000 Amazon gift voucher
• - Dining vouchers for renowned restaurants
• - Pair tickets to Disneyland or musical shows
• - 100 kg of Edo-Tokyo grown vegetables

How to Enter

Participating in the competition is simple:
1. Download the recipe submission form (Excel format) from the official website.
2. Complete the form and attach a photo of your trial dish.
3. Submit your entry through the website form or mail it to the address below:

Mailing Address: 1-5-15 Yaesu, Chuo Ward, Tokyo, Japan, Tanaka Yaesu Building, 6th Floor, Kyuushoku no Tetsujin® 2025 Executive Committee Office.

Submission Deadlines:

• - For online submissions: September 30, 2025, by 23:59 (JST)
• - For mailed submissions: Must arrive by September 30, 2025.

Judging Criteria

Entries will be evaluated based on several key criteria:
1. Visual Appeal
2. Developmental Perspective
3. Creativity and Originality
4. Passion Reflected in the Recipe
5. Ease of Reproduction
6. Educational Aspect (efforts in educating children about nutrition, collaboration with families)

Renowned culinary expert, Ms. Toshiko Okuzono, continues her role as the head judge, along with a panel of specialists in early childhood education and nutritional education.

Support and Sponsorship

The competition is backed by several organizations, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and the Sankei Shimbun Company.

Exclusive Benefits for Contestants

Every participant in the Kyuushoku no Tetsujin® 2025 will receive the highly acclaimed “Kyuushoku no Tetsujin Recipe Book,” featuring winning recipes from previous competitions and special selections by the judges.

Contact Information

For more details, inquiries can be directed to the Kyuushoku no Tetsujin® 2025 Executive Committee Office (within the Japan Educe Food Education Research Institute) at 📞 0120-301-237 or by email to [email protected].

Explore More

Follow us on Instagram at @kyushokunotetsujin or visit our official website for updates.

Join us in celebrating the art of cooking nutritious meals for young hearts and minds at Kyuushoku no Tetsujin® 2025!