World-renowned chefs of Japanese cuisine | Taste of Japan

Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador

58 domestic and 87 overseas as of January 2021

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) warmly provides consultations to foreign parties interested in Japanese cuisine with professional knowledge related to Japanese cuisine and food culture, and appoints a Goodwill Ambassador to Spread Japanese Cuisine who is a professional engaged in Japanese cuisine capable of providing appropriate consultation on the dissemination of Japanese food and food culture.

Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador and Special Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador will transmit the allure of Japanese food and food culture in more familiar and broader ways through a range of media sources and events.

List of Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador

Certification of Cooking Skills for Japanese Cuisine in Foreign Countries

This is a system for independent certification of foreign chefs of Japanese cuisine whose knowledge of Japanese cuisine and cooking skills have reached a certain level, offered by a private group following the Guidelines for Certification of Cooking Skills for Japanese Cuisine in Foreign Countries as defined by MAFF.

Through developing foreign chefs of Japanese cuisine who possess appropriate knowledge and skills related to Japanese cuisine, the brand strength of Japanese cuisine and food culture will be strengthened and the use of Japanese agricultural, forestry, fishery, and food products will be expanded.

Goldchefs with approximately two years practical experience
Silverchefs who graduated from Japanese cooking schools etc., or those with approximately one year practical experience
Bronzechefs who took a short-term training session

As of September 30, 2019, a total of 1080 persons have been certified, with 8 for Gold, 334 for Silver, and 738 for Bronze

Operating or managing organizations as specified in the “Guidelines for Certification of Cooking Skills for Japanese Cuisine in Foreign Countries”
https://www.maff.go.jp/j/shokusan/syokubun/attach/pdf/tyori-15.pdf

The list of recipients of Gold and Silver certification Guideline

Washoku World Challenge

The Washoku World Challenge, which marked its seventh anniversary in 2019, is a Japanese cuisine contest organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan for non-Japanese chefs who are passionate about Japanese cuisine and have worked hard to hone their related skills and knowledge.