Yasuhiro Fujio is Named Best Young Chef in Japan and Will Proceed to the Grand Finale
The young chef from Restaurant ‘La Cime’ will now have the chance of becoming the best young chef in the world with his signature dish, ‘Across the sea’.
Following a day of outstanding performances at the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2018 Japan local competition, 29-year-old Yasuhiro Fujio was crowned winner with his signature dish featuring Japanese ‘Ayu’ fish and showcasing French cooking techniques.
The local event, which was held at ‘CHUBO!SHIODOME’ in Tokyo on Thursday 12 October, saw 10 of the most talented chefs from across the country face off in the kitchen for the first time. Each signature dish was evaluated by an expert panel of chef judges, namely Luca Fantin, Thomas Angerer, Yoshiaki Takazawa and Zaiyu Hasegawa, and evaluated against the criteria outlined in the Golden Rules.
Despite tough competition it was Yasuhiro Fujio from restaurant La Cime in Osaka who emerged victorious with his dish ‘Across the Sea’. Using French cooking techniques, he transformed distinctly Japanese ingredients. The young chef explained that the dish was an expression of himself, as a young Japanese man ready to cross the ocean to take on a life-changing challenge in the international arena.
Fujio will be accompanied to Milan by chef mentor Luca Fantin, who will advise him on how to improve his signature dish in preparation for the Grand Finale. Fantin commented: “The local championship is just the first step. While working towards the Grand Finale next year, I will let him showcase his cooking on the world stage.”
Speaking of the experience that lies ahead, Fujio said: "It is truly an honour to be selected, as the local representative of such a wonderful competition. I would like to express my gratitude towards the Jury, all related parties and the other semi-finalists.”
At the Grand Finale a distinguished jury of seven internationally-acclaimed chefs, known as the ‘Seven Sages,’ will taste the signature dishes of all 21 global winners, finally choosing the best young chef in the world, S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2018.
