Tokuoka Kunio
KYOTO KITCHO Executive Chef
Born in 1960, the grandson of Kitcho founder Yuki Teiichi.
In 1980 he began training in earnest to be a chef, learning the fundamentals of cooking from Teiichi.
In 1995 he became executive chef, and in 2009 managing director of KYOTO KITCHO Co., Ltd.
Starting in 2004, he began participating in culinary events overseas.
In 2008 he catered the social dinner for the G8 Summit in Toyako, Hokkaido.
Domestically, he is involved in the search for solutions to various issues relating to regional vitalization and primary industry in Japan, such as agriculture, forestry and fisheries. He is a visiting professor at Tokyo University of Agriculture and honorary director of the Society of Industry, Culture, and Science.
While honoring tradition, Tokuoka Kunio is constantly devising new, multifaceted approaches to food culture and is committed to spreading his knowledge and love of Japanese cuisine through innovative methods and suggestions.
ProfileProfile
2004 | Participated in Salone del Gusto, a festival of food organized by Slow Food Association Italy (also 2006) |
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2005 | Participated in "Madrid Fusion" |
2007 | Participated in THE RISE OF ASIA food conference organized by CIA, California, USA (also 2008) |
2008 | First Japanese chef to be selected for a James Beard Award (James Beard Foundation) Executive Chef, G8 Summit Social Dinner, Lake Toya, Hokkaido |
2009 | Became President and CEO of KYOTO KITCHO Co., Ltd. Japan Representative at Tokyo Taste World Gastronomy Summit 2009 Joined Kyotango City's board of expert advisors (committee for policy and planning) Participated in the "Umami Summit in London" KYOTO KITCHO Arashiyama awarded 3 stars in the Michelin Guide Kyoto Osaka, HANA‐Kitcho awarded 1 star (both maintained for 12 consecutive years) |
2010 | Participated in the World of Flavor Conference & Festival organized by CIA, California, USA |
2012 | KYOTO KITCHO Toyako awarded 2 stars in the Michelin Guide Hokkaido Special Edition (awarded again in 2017) |
2013 | Participated in the World of Flavor Conference 2013 organized by CIA, California, USA |
2015 | Participated in Milan, Italy World Expo Gave a special speech in Italy at the request of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Appointed as Honorary Chairman of the Society of Industry, Culture, and Science |
2016 | Decorated as an Officier in the Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne at the 7th Investiture Ceremony Appointed as Associate Professor of Tokyo University of Agriculture Appointed as International Ambassador for Mie Prefecture Foods |
2019 | KYOTO KITCHO Nagoya awarded 1 star in the Michelin Guide Aichi Gifu Mie Special Edition |
PublicationsPublications
2007 | "Haru no shokutaku (Spring Table)", "Natsu no shokutaku (Summer Table)", "Aki no shokutaku (Autumn Table)", "Fuyu no shokutaku (Winter Table)" - all published by Basilico |
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2009 | "Arashiyama Kitcho: Danshi no daidokoro (Arashiyama Kitcho: A Man's Kitchen)" - Basilico "Oishii yasai no miwakekata (How to Choose Delicious Vegetables)" - Basilico * Co-authored with leading sustainable agriculture expert Kazuo Nishimura |
2010 | "Kitcho: Japan's Ultimate Dining Experience" - Kodansha International "Beauties of Nature in Cuisine" - Gakuseisha "Kyoto Kitcho shigoto no saho (Kyoto Kitcho: Work Etiquette)" - PHP Institute, Inc. "Sake no tsumami (Snacks for Sake)" - Bungeishunju Ltd. "Bunkoban shiki no shokutaku (A Table for Four Seasons paperback edition)" - Bungeishunju Ltd. |
2013 | "Walking in the Footsteps of Teiichi Yuki, Founder of Kitcho who Staked his Life on Japanese Cuisine and Tea Ceremony : What the Grandson Kunio Tokuoka Has Learned" - Tankosha Publishing |
* Publication titles listed here may differ from official titles.