FOCUS ON JAPAN

Three local Japanese food gurus have been appointed as Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassadors by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Tokuyama Makoto (chef-owner of Cocoro restaurant in Auckland), Narita Yoshiji (New Zealand representative for Daikoku Restaurant Group) and Hamada Kinji (chef-owner of Kinji Japanese Restaurant in Christchurch) were appointed in recognition of their outstanding achievements and abilities in the promotion and sharing of knowledge about Japanese cuisine and Japanese food culture. There are 173 Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassadors all over the world, but this is the first time anyone has been appointed from New Zealand. Congratulations!