Exploring the Realities of Chefs' Careers Post-Overseas Challenges

On October 14th, 2025, the culinary community initiative Chef Meets will host a free online seminar titled "How Overseas Challenges Shape Careers." This event aims to delve into the experiences of chefs who ventured abroad and their subsequent career development upon returning to Japan. Participants will engage with two distinguished chefs: Tomofumi Uchimira, who currently operates the Michelin-starred French restaurant ORIGINE in Burgundy, France, and Shinji Kawamura, who ran a French restaurant in Paris for eight years before returning to Tokyo to open his own restaurant, Etape.

Chef Uchimira embarked on his culinary journey inspired by his family's Italian restaurant. After graduating from culinary school, he honed his skills at prestigious restaurants in Tokyo before spending eleven formative years in Michelin-starred establishments in France. Uchimira opened ORIGINE in 2019 and secured a Michelin star in 2022, which he has maintained yearly. He focuses on combining local ingredients with his innovative culinary artistry.

On the other hand, Chef Kawamura discovered his passion for cooking during high school while working at a restaurant. His experiences led him to France, where he worked with renowned chefs and further developed his skills. After returning to Japan, he served as a chef at Iku Aoyama before opening Etape, which has received accolades in the Michelin Bib Gourmand category and was selected as a Michelin restaurant.

Event Agenda

The seminar will unfold in two parts. The first part will feature presentations from both chefs, where they will share their engaging journeys and how overseas experiences affected their lives and careers. The second part will consist of a panel discussion allowing participants to pose questions to the chefs, fostering an interactive environment to deepen understanding and insights.

What You Will Learn

- Experience and Skills Acquired Abroad

Discover the valuable learnings chefs gain while working overseas, such as diverse culinary techniques and cultural culinary practices.

- Applying Lessons Back Home

Learn how returning chefs leverage their international experiences to innovate and elevate the culinary landscape in Japan.

- Overcoming Challenges

Gain insights into common fears and obstacles faced by returning chefs and how they navigate these challenges successfully.

Event Details

- Date and Time: October 14th, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM (JST)
- Location: Online (Zoom)
- Speakers:

- Tomofumi Uchimira (Owner Chef of ORIGINE)
- Shinji Kawamura (Owner Chef of Etape)

Target Audience

This event caters to various culinary professionals, including:

- Young chefs interested in overseas training or restaurant openings.
- Those currently undertaking culinary training abroad, contemplating their careers upon returning to Japan.
- Individuals facing challenges in their post-return careers.
- Restaurant owners, managers, educators involved in chef training.

Registration and Participation

Participation in this enriching seminar is free, but registration is required as spaces are limited to the first 30 attendees. To register, follow this link.

Conclusion

Chef Meets initiative continuously strives to enhance the professional development and career trajectories of chefs in the industry. The upcoming seminar promises to inspire and guide culinary enthusiasts looking to embark on their overseas adventures and return with fresh perspectives to enrich the Japanese culinary scene.