From boxer to owner of oden (hot pot dish) stall. And then to French cuisine, in pursuit of the world stage…

He was born in Ibaraki prefecture in 1949. When he was in college, he was selected as one of the candidates to compete in gymnastics for the Olympics, and after graduating, he became a ranked professional boxer in Japan. After wrecking his body and giving up on boxing, he made a 180 degree turn and opened an oden (hot pot dish) stall. However, he says, "That would never allow me to aim for the world stage," and entered the world of French cuisine. He underwent training at a restaurant in Tokyo before going to France. After perfecting his skills for two years in places such as restaurants with three Michelin stars, he returned to Japan, and in 1988, he opened "A Ta Goul" in Ebisu. He took the opportunity to rename his restaurant to "Ne Quittez Pas" when he moved to Gotanda.

Deeply impressed by the Italians' service and delicious food

Born in 1974 in Tottori, the chef decided to pursue this path while visiting Italy and being drawn to its delicious cuisine and friendly people. After graduating from a culinary school, he entered an Italian restaurant. In 1998, he joined "Vino Hirata" and became head chef in 2009. In May, 2010, he became an owner chef.

A professional whose signature dish is "Ankake (thick sauce) Spaghetti".

After working for the Toyohashi restaurant "Ciao" for five years he opened his own place. He left the establishment he ran for 27 years to his son, and opened "Spaghetti House Chef Meiekinishi" nine years ago. He is a chef of the ankake (a thick, starchy kudzu sauce) spaghetti school of cuisine.

After all, the love of cooking lead to this profession.

Our chef values the input of his guests and pursues fashionable, cuttingedge cuisine with the spirit of a true craftsman

Born September 25th, 1957 in Miyazaki Prefecture. After graduating from the Tsuji Culinary Institute in Osaka, he studied at Seiyoken for five years before moving to France. He started at Japanese restaurants before working his way to the Michelin one-star (now three-star) restaurant Guy Savoy in Paris. He then honed his skills at the Swiss restaurant Girardet before returning to Japan. He served as head chef at Restaurant Hiramatsu and chateau restaurant Joel Robuchon for three years before striking out on his own. In 1997 he opened Restaurant Monna Lisa Ebisu.

Born February 23rd, 1960, a native of Hyogo Prefecture. After graduating from high school he worked at a number of restaurants, before traveling to France. He studied under Bernard Loiseau, the head chef at La Cote d'Or (now called Le Relais Bernard Loiseau), who gave rise to the Asian-inspired French fusion style, which our chef learned. He returned home to work at the Japanese chef of La Cote d'Or Kobe in 1992. As of 2000 he was promoted to the general manager and head chef of the Kitano Kobe Hotel.

A chef with a wealth of experience whose genius was recognised by Chef Baba

Koji Itou was born in Saitama prefecture in 1976. His part-time job at university led him into the world of cooking. In 2002, he went to Italy and honed his skills at the famous restaurants of Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont. He returned to Japan in 2005, and worked for 2 years at Taverna Messina in Jiyugaoka. After that, he worked for 4 years at an Italian restaurant in Hiroshima before coming to Tharros in 2012. In the spring of 2014, leadership of the kitchen was handed over to him by Chef Baba. Chef Itou hopes that just as before, he wants to make the unique food culture and atmosphere of Sardinia more widely known.

Enchanted by Italian cuisine that draws out the inherent flavors of the raw ingredients

Originally from Kagoshima Prefecture, he graduated from a culinary school in Osaka before moving to Tokyo. After studying at various restaurants such as Basta Pasta, he went to Italy to learn authentic techniques. After working in Mantua and Florence, and trying more and more of the food in different restaurants, he returned to Japan to work at Ristorante Yamazaki. Afterwards, in 2001, he struck out on his own to open Ristorante Hamazaki.

He was drawn to the charms of French cooking, and his experience in famous restaurants has made him a powerful chef.

He was born in 1975 in Osaka. Although he went to a technical high school, he decided to pursue cooking-in both cases, because he enjoys making things. While learning the basics of service at a hotel, he studied cooking as hard as he could, aiming for places like the Riga Royal Hotel, and he got his dream assignment at the Restaurant Chambord, a famous restaurant known for tradition and formality. He had always hoped to become a French chef, and he fell in love with French food even more in that position, where he spent quality time working under a head chef he greatly admired. He has continued to achieve great things and gain experience since then.

The beginning was simple. After that, his efforts have not ceased.

He was born in 1973 in Kyoto. Ever since he was a child, he dreamed of being a chef. He thought that their white coats were smart, and that working as a chef on a cruise liner looked fun. Rather than letting this remain as just a dream, he worked consistently to realize it and to get to where he is today.

Dishes created from the heart by a chef who has always loved to "create things."

Born in January 1958 in Gunma Prefecture. The chef, who says he has always liked to "create and complete things", began cooking through a part-time job. After seeing the depth of the art of cooking, he began to seriously pursue becoming a chef. Each dish is carefully prepared from the heart with the thought that "customers will sincerely say that it is delicious."

A chef who is constantly thinking up new menus in which the flavors of the drinks and the food complement each other

Born in 1965 in Oita Prefecture, graduated from Tsuji Japanese Culinary Arts College. After gaining experience in Kyoto and Osaka he went independent, starting his own restaurant in Kyoto. In 2006 fate brought him to "Ristorante Misato", where he shows off his skills daily as the lead chef.

He strives to build a unique menu that matches the restaurant's atmosphere

He was born in Nagano prefecture in 1979, and it was a part-time kitchen job that gave him the motivation to go to Tokyo and start cooking professionally. After training at hotel kitchens and French restaurants, he gathered experience at various restaurants, such as a small bistro and a 145-seater restaurant in Daikanyama, where he worked as the head chef. In 2012, he became the head chef of Dining & Bar KITSUNE, where he handles the creation of new menu items, including dishes like "Sushine," a cross between sushi and a terrine. He says, "I want to continue offering dishes that taste great, but still manage to surprise customers."

Experience of apprenticeship era in Bologna, Italy ensures chef's works.

He was born in Tokyo in 1975. After graduating from culinary school, he trined for 3 years at "Osteria" in Funabashi, before leaving for Italy. For the 7 years he spent in Italy, he wandered from northern Italy to southern Italy with Bologna as his base, and gained experiences from numerous restaurants, with the Michelin-starred restaurant "IL SOLE" at the center. After returning to Japan, he joined the Sicilian restaurant "Don Cicco" in Shibuya and worked for 6 years under chef Tsutomu Ishikawa. In March 2013, he opened "Trattoria Antica Ciuri Ciuri".

Brings delicious tastes to life with his cooking experience that can't be confined to one culinary style

Born in 1981 in Hida, Gifu Prefecture. Aspiring to become a chef, he trained at the Japanese food restaurant "Izakaya Fumi" in Nagoya city's Chikusa district and "Karatoya" in the Sakae district from the age of 18 on. After that, he returned to Takayama and opened this restaurant in 2012, turning his dream into a reality.

To make food that can make people happy - that is where this chef comes from

She was born in Fukui prefecture. Her turning point to enter culinary school came when she was working as a cabin assistant in an airline company, and the food she cooked made her husband happy. After graduating, she began training at "Monde Cafe" in Shinjuku, and subsequently polished her skills at "Au Gamin de Tokio" in Shirogane, under the guidance of chef Takemasa Kinoshita. In 2009, she opened "Morceau" together with her sommelier husband. Her homemade bread is a culmination of what she learned about making bread over the course of a year, and has garnered much popularity.

The local flavor and cooking philosophy learned at a small restaurant in northern Italy

He was born in Kanagawa prefecture in 1974. He chose to take on Italian cooking under the influence of his brother, Munetaka, who entered the culinary world before him. He underwent training at a famous restaurant in Tokyo before going to Italy in 1999. He perfected his skills there for seven years, with a focus on the northernmost region of Trentino-Alto Adige. While he was there, he ventured into choosing a small restaurant so as to personally experience life in Italy at the location itself. The skills that he learned there, together with the cooking philosophy prized in the area, also show themselves in "ICARO", which he opened with his brother after returning to Japan.

Trained under two master chefs

Born in 1978 in Tokyo. Enrolled in a culinary school and then set out to work in that field. He studied in Shibuya's "Bigorosso" and Daikanyama's "Canobiano" under Uetake Takamasa, and then at the age of 22 he went to Italy for about two and a half years. He improved his craft in many restaurants, including a 2 star Michelin location in Tuscany, the "Tendarossa." After returning to Japan, he trained under Sasajima Yasuhiro at Marunouchi's "Il Giottone," working as a chef from the opening. In 2008, he opened the mainly vegetarian "Frick." It is a restaurant that is very popular with regular customers.

Whole-heartedly Never lose sight of the origin when selecting raw materials.

He was born in 1972 in Funabashi City. He loves eating, so he chose the path of making food. He studied at Italian and French restaurants within the city. He worked as the master chef at several restaurants in Chiba, and in 2011, he opened Ristrante Onesto. In accordance with the name of the restaurant, he will select ingredients ‘with full sincerity' and be a chef who doesn't forget his origins. He would like you to think of his restaurant as another dining table. He values the relationship with his customers. As time goes by, he wants to devote himself every day to making progress along the path he have chosen to take.

A chef pursuing the art of cooking with the determination of a master craftsman after a visit to France

Born in Fukushima prefecture in 1983, this chef has always loved making things and aspired to be a chef since a young age. After graduating school and spending some time in another industry, he started working at a french restaurant in Hayama at the age of 19 through an introduction from a friend. There, he studied cooking basics for 4 years. Later he travelled to France where he trained in Normandy, Ile De France, and Cote d'Azur for 5 years, experiencing authentic French cuisine. He returned to Japan in 2011 to work in Benoit in Aoyama, and joined Arukana Tokyo KARATO in 2013.