#Japan #Kyoto #Sustainable Food #Kikkoman #Culinary Event

Kikkoman's Culinary Event: A Fusion of Tradition and Innovation

Kikkoman Corporation will be hosting an extraordinary culinary event titled "A World Connected by Deliciousness" on June 15th and 16th, 2025. This two-day affair will take place at the Osaka Kansai Expo site and locations within Kyoto, showcasing a collaboration between three renowned chefs from abroad and nine of Kyoto's best traditional Japanese culinary masters. The focus will be on celebrating sustainable Japanese ingredients and the unique dishes crafted specifically for this occasion.

Event Overview

Theme

• - Japanese: おいしさでつながる世界
• - English: A World Connected by Deliciousness

The event will feature a symposium on June 15th, kicking off at 10:30 AM, hosted at the Expo Messe within the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries exhibition area. Here, esteemed chefs will gather to discuss the Expo's theme of "Designing a Future Society Where Life Shines" from a culinary perspective. They will share insights regarding the sustainability of Japanese ingredients.

Key Speakers

Several illustrious chefs will participate in this event:

• - Yoshihiro Murata: The third-generation owner of the renowned restaurant "Kikunoi" and a cultural contributor.
• - Kyle Connaughton: Owner-chef of the Michelin three-star restaurant, Single Thread, based in the USA.
• - Mauro Colagreco: Owner-chef of the Michelin three-star restaurant Mirazur in the South of France, known for being ranked the world's best restaurant in 2019.
• - Chudaree Debhakam-Tam: Owner-chef of Michelin two-star restaurant Baan Tepa in Thailand.

The symposium will be open for public viewing, enabling attendees to engage with the chefs' discussions, which will also be recorded for later broadcast.

Reception

On June 16th, a reception featuring a stunning lineup of dishes created by the collaborative efforts of the invited chefs and their Kyoto counterparts will be held at the historic Ninna-ji Temple. This prominent cultural site in Kyoto will enhance the exclusive dining experience.

• - Schedule:

Part 1: 12 PM - 1:30 PM (Finger food)
Part 2: 7 PM - 9:30 PM (Chef's courses - invitation only)

The pairing of international chefs with local culinary experts promises an unprecedented day of gastronomic delight, making this event particularly unique. The first part will feature a range of finger foods, while the second part will provide a more formal dinner experience, showcasing individual chefs' creations. Further details regarding the dishes and recipes will be made available after the event.

Notable Chefs Invited

• - Yoshihiro Murata (Kikunoi): Overall supervisor.
• - Kyle Connaughton (Single Thread): Known for his culinary innovations.
• - Mauro Colagreco (Mirazur): Promotes sustainable gastronomy.
• - Chudaree Debhakam-Tam (Baan Tepa): An advocate for local sourcing and creativity in cooking.
• - Takuro Takahashi (Kinofu): Renowned for his unique interpretations of classic cuisine.
• - Yoshihiro Takahashi (Hyotei): A peerless expert in Kyoto cuisine.

Purpose and Collaboration

This initiative showcases the collaboration of public and private sectors aimed at promoting food sustainability and offering unmatched culinary excellence. The organizing committee, including Kikkoman Corporation, the All Japan Food Studies Association, Nippon Steel Corporation, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Kyoto Prefecture, JETRO, and the Japan Food Overseas Promotion Center (JFOODO), has come together to present this interdisciplinary exploration of global and local food cultures.

In conclusion, this event symbolizes not only a gastronomic celebration but also a commitment to sustainable practices in food cultivation and enjoyment. Attendees are invited to witness a unique collage of flavors that highlight both tradition and contemporary culinary art.