Award Winners Announced for the First Annual All-India Japanese Fusion Sushi Contest

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Maidoindia promoting Japanese Food, Art and Culture in India in association with The Consulate General of Japan in Mumbai, The Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Mumbai and the Western Culinary Association has announced the award winners for The First Annual All-India Japanese Fusion Sushi Contest held at the Training Kitchen of IHM Mumbai, the largest training kitchen in South-East Asia.

It was for the first time in India that such an initiative was taken, to give an excellent platform to students from the hospitality sector and professionals from the field to interact and showcase their talents.

The contest saw the active participation of both students and professionals in large numbers and attracted attention from the stalwarts from the hospitality sector. The expert panel of judges included Celebrity Chef Hisa (formerly of Wasabi, Taj Hotels and Palaces Mumbai), Chef Kato (Four Seasons Mumbai), Chef Koizumi (ITC Hotel), Chef Matthew Cropp (The Oberoi) and Mr Harry Cheng (Director, maidoindia).

The Sushi Contest ended on a fantastic note with the Award Ceremony held at the Japanese Consulate of Mumbai. His Excellency, Hirotsugu Hagiuda Consul General of Japan, Mumbai extended support on behalf of Japanese Government to this endeavor.

In his welcome speech he noted: "I am pleased that maidoindia came up with this great idea to promote Japanese Food, Art and Culture in India. I am glad to be a part of this beautiful crowd and hope that Japanese Food,Art and Culture is appreciated and welcomed in India and vice-versa"

Mr Harry Cheng commented: "I was very impressed with the creativity and innovation demonstrated by the students as well as professional chefs. I feel that sushi will continue to evolve in India, and this competition to be held annually, will be an important date in the calendar for sushi chefs and fans alike in the future. I would like to extend my thanks to all who participated, for their hard work, passion, and the pursuit of excellence."

Mr Okui, the Chairman of The Japan Society, Mumbai and Mr Anup Jatia (Director, maidoindia) also graced the Awards Ceremony with their kind presence.

Every participant was presented with a Certificate of Participation at the Award Ceremony.

The Winner for the Professional Category was Chef Bambang Soeprijono of the JWM Hotel Mumbai. Chef Bambang was also selected as the Overall Winner and was presented with the Grand Prize, being All Nippon Airways Business Class Return Ticket from Mumbai to Tokyo on ANA's all new 36 seater Business Jet.

The winner for the Student Category was Ms Shreeya Mitra from IHM, Mumbai, who also won Chef Hisa's Budding Sushi Chef of the Year. Aditya Kulkarni, also from IHM Mumbai, was the Runner-Up, Student Category, and was also presented with the Original Vegetarian Sushi Award.

Chef Sumit Thapa of the Oberoi, Mumbai, received the Consulate General of Japan Awards for Innovation.

In addition to this, the winning award entries are scheduled to be showcased in one of the booths of the Japan Pavilion of the World of India. http://www.worldoffoodindia.com/ to be held 19-21 November 2007 in Mumbai.

To view the photographs, please click on the links mentioned below:

Winner Grand Prize and Professional Category

Winner Student Category

Source: Maido Enterprises Pvt. Ltd (Business Wire India)

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