Washoku World Challenge, the international Japanese cuisine contest organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, is delighted to announce the shortlist for its 9th edition.

Held annually, Washoku World Challenge celebrates the culinary techniques, knowledge and understanding of Washoku Chefs. Applicants must be of non-Japanese nationality, and can be based anywhere in the world, as long as they meet one of the following criteria: they are a professional Chef specialising in Japanese cuisine, or a professional Chef with an interest in Japanese food and food culture; they are a student studying Japanese cuisine with the intention of becoming a professional Chef; they are a student studying at a Japanese culinary institution; and/or they are a participant in a Japanese cooking course in Japan.

The theme of this year’s contest is “Goho ‐ Five Methods”, a return to the founding principles of Japanese cuisine. The organisers of the contest hope that this year’s theme will be an opportunity for applicants to reconsider the basics of Japanese cuisine, to further refine their skills, and connect them to the future.

To find out more about the contest and this year’s shortlist, please visit the dedicated Washoku World Challenge website