What happens when you gather a handful of Japan’s finest culinary masters – known as shokunin – all in the same room at the same time? You get a culinary experience like no other. And that’s exactly what happened at South Kensington’s Yashin Ocean House last year when Japan’s largest five-star airline, All Nippon Airways, collaborated with Aiste Miseviciute (founder of food blog Luxeat) to bring three all-star experts under one roof for a series of ‘Culinary Journeys’.
The three exclusive evenings were the first time that the world's leading sushi, wagyu and tempura shokunins had cooked together. Ever. Lucky guests were treated to the tantalising culinary creations of two-Michelin-star sushi master Kouji Kimura, dubbed the ‘father of aged sushi’; Tokyo beef master Kentaro Nakahara, a man whose wagyu katsu sandwich is considered one of the best in the world; and tempura master Shuji Niitome, whose ten-seat tempura restaurant in Nagoya remains one of the most notoriously sought-after bookings on the planet.
Alex Merz
These three experts brought a truly authentic taste of Japan to London with their masterful menu. This delicious initiative was part of ANA’s wider ‘We Are Japan’ programme, designed to give us a deeper appreciation of the country and its culture through its cuisine.
Feel like you missed out? Go and visit these incredible chefs on their home turf. Japan is only a flight away.
All about ANA
In 2018, ANA was awarded Skytrax’s highest accolade for the sixth consecutive year, and is Japan’s largest 5-Star airline*. Guests know that ANA is Japan, carrying on a tradition of welcoming hospitality that has been refined over thousands of years. And with direct daily flights to Tokyo from Europe and North America, ANA takes you there. Discover Japan’s unique destinations, and best-kept secrets with We Are Japan, ANA’s insight into the ideal escape.
*By passenger numbers across all Japanese carriers
