Opinion – Marcelo Katsuki: The 1st Week of Japanese Gastronomy in São Paulo is coming

With so many Japanese restaurants in the city, São Paulo deserved a week dedicated to the theme. Because it will happen: the 1st Japanese Gastronomy Week starts on October 25th and continues until November 1st. The event, created by ABGJ – Brazilian Association of Japanese Gastronomy, is aimed at professionals in the food sector, such as owners and managers of restaurants and bars, chefs, cooks and bartenders, and also for those who work in the production chain, such as importers, producers and suppliers.

Marcelo Shiraishi, president of ABGJ, highlights the importance of the Week: “The engagement of establishments around common goals is necessary to strengthen the segment, one of the ones that suffered the most from the pandemic”. Simone Xirata, vice president of the entity and responsible for the production and coordination of the event, emphasizes the relevance of the dates: “The Gastronomy Week starts on October 25th, World Macaroni Day and ends on November 1st, International Day of Sushi”. The event counts on the collaboration of Japan House São Paulo and JETRO – Japan External Trade Organization.

The opening ceremony, restricted to associates, entrepreneurs and professionals in the Japanese gastronomy industry, will be held on October 25, at 6:30 pm, at Japan House.

On the 26th, Japan House will host two events: the chat “The universe of the ramen bowl”, about the book “Ramen/Lámen”, by Jo Takahashi, with the participation of Breno Lerner, Simone Xirata and Rafael Salvador. And Ramen Matsuri, with five houses (Hidden by 2nd floor, Tamashii Ramen, Hirá Ramen Izakaya, Lamen Kazu and Jojo Ramen) offering different types of ramen. The ticket purchase link is at the end of the post.

On the 27th, lectures and business panels will begin with topics such as “Restaurant Management” and “Delivery Challenges and Opportunities”, in addition to a meeting dedicated to social projects developed during the pandemic. On this day, JETRO will present the certification program Japanese Food Supporter Storesand will hand over the seal to new certified establishments.

The Week will also have three tasting events: the Kaiseki Dinner, at 7 pm on October 28, at Japan House; the Izakaya Matsuri, from 12 noon on October 30, at the Brazilian Society of Japanese Culture and Social Assistance; and Sushi Matsuri, from 7pm on November 1st at the Aizomê restaurant at Japan House.

On the 29th of October, the masterclass about Awamori at the Canopy Hotel of the Hilton Group, from 2 pm to 3:30 pm, for guests and paying public. Awamori is a traditional spirit that comes from Okinawa. On the same night, bartender Rogério Igarashi Vaz, from Bar Trench in Tokyo, and Ricardo Miyazaki, from The Punch, will be welcomed by Thiago Bañares at Tantan. The night promises.

For registration, accreditation or ticket purchase, click here.

Event locations:

• Japan House: Avenida Paulista, 52, Paraíso, São Paulo, SP.
• Brazilian Society of Japanese Culture and Social Assistance: Rua São Joaquim, 381, Liberdade, São Paulo, SP.
• Hotel Canopy by Hilton: R. Saint Hilaire, 40, Jardim Paulista, São Paulo, SP.
• Tan Tan: Rua Fradique Coutinho, 153, Pinheiros, São Paulo, SP.