Taste of Japan

World-renowned chefs of Japanese cuisine

Introducing chefs specializing in Japanese cuisine around the world

The Minister's Awards for Overseas Promotion of Japanese Food

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has awarded persons who have made outstanding contributions to the introduction and spread of Japanese cuisine, Japanese food and other Japanese agricultural and fishery products overseas.

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Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador

Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador

56 domestic and 117 overseas as of January 2022

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) appoints Japanese culinary professionals who help spread Japanese food and food culture both at home and abroad by providing advice to those involved in Japanese cuisine overseas as “Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassadors.”
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.

  • Ambassador Logo goldGoldchefs with approximately two years practical experience
  • Ambassador Logo silverSilverchefs who graduated from Japanese cooking schools etc., or those with approximately one year practical experience
  • Ambassador Logo bronzeBronzechefs who took a short-term training session

As of March 31, 2022, a total of 1763 persons have been certified, with 20 for Gold, 824 for Silver, and 1224 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-3.pdf

The list of recipients of Gold and Silver certification Guideline

Washoku World Challenge

“Washoku World Challenge” is a Japanese cooking contest sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries aimed at overseas chefs who are greatly interested in Japanese cuisine and are daily committed to improving their knowledge and skills.
The contest has been held nine times so far as of FY2021, with the fifth contest onward introduced here on this page.

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