This year's grand final event was attended
by about 200 guests, who all enjoyed the reception and witnessed
new sushi dishes. It opened with his highness Masaki Orita,
Japanese Ambassador and Head of committee, Mr Makoto Kakebayashi's
speech showing their excitement towards the competition.
The 20 entries(10 adults and 10 children) were prepared by
sushi chefs and displayed alongside each finalist at the main
venue. The judges communicated with the finalists asking about
their sushi, before retiring to confer. The judging criteria
was based on Originality, Taste and Presentation.
Among the 20 finalists, there was one Grand
winner and three runners up in each category. The winners
were congratulated and awarded their prizes by the chairman
of the judging panel, Ross Burden.
The 2003 Grand Winner was 'Miso Mozzarella Sushi' created
by art designer, Ms. Chikako Aoki. The sushi consisted of
mozzarella cheese marinated in miso and garnished with almonds
and nori. Chikako received a pair of return tickets
to Japan courtesy of ANA and one year's supply of Asahi Super
Dry. Miso Mozzarlla Sushi is now also on the menu of Moshi
Moshi Sushi, Feng Sushi and Matsuri Restaurant Group.
The Sushi Trial Corner was another highlight as Mr. Fujimoto
known as Channel 4's Mr. Banzai joined in and made his version
of Sushi. Many guests followed to try their hands at making
sushi.
Grand Winner :
Chikako Aoki,
with Miso Mozzarella Sushi
Description : This simple nigiri sushi dish(main ingredient
on top of sushi rice ) consists of mozzarella cheese marinated
in miso, and wrapped in nori.
Adults Gold Winner :
Adults Silver Winner :
Adults Bronze Winner :
Children Gold Winner :
Children Silver Winner :
Children Adult Bronze Winner :
Colin Winter,
with Raspberry and Coconuts Sushi Cheesecake Barry Palmer,
Children Gold winner, Harvey with
Ross Burden
with Rainbow Kakomi
Memi Sumiya,
with Millennium Dome Sushi
Harvey Lewis,
with Surf, Turf n' Beach
Yui Hamada,
with Double Decker Sushi
Kaori Date,
with USAGI(Rabbit) Sushi
Mr. Masaki Orita Ambassador of Japan
Compared to the UK 30 years ago, It's hard to believe now that
sushi has such a firm place in the hearts of British people!
There is so much energy and affection in the dishes presented
tonight.
Mr. Ross Burden
Celebrity Chef
The standard tonight has been very high. The competition has
really brought sushi 'out of the box' and it is helping to move
it forward. Watch this space for next year's competition!
Mr. Masaki Fujimoto
Performer
I enjoyed the children's entries because they showed how families
can enjoy cooking together. I felt the possibilities of sushi
are limitless beyond borders and traditions.
Mr. Henry Harris
Restaurateur
Entries this year have been so much more thoughtful and refined,
especially in the children's category. They all have fun, wit,
excitement, and pure enthusiasm.
Ms. Maggie Thurer
Last year's winner
This year's competition was even greater! It was wanderful to
see it in the second year. Sushi is actually very simple and
enjoyable, and I could see that all the finalists did enjoy
making sushi!
Described as the 'tastiest man in
Britain', Ross Burden is one of the regular chefs on BBC
TWO's Ready Steady Cook. Model turned TV presenter, Ross
first came to prominence in the UK after winning Masterchef.
He has since made a healthy-eating video with actress
Joan Collins, is a food writer, and continues to be a
familiar face on our TV screens. Ross will be chairing
the panel of judges.
Henry Harris is a well-respected expert
in the restaurant business. Head Chef and owner of the
popular Racine, Knightsbridge. Henry was also responsible
for making the Fifth Floor restaurant in Harvey Nichols
a great success. Henry is also a food writer, and has
appeared on a range of television programmes including
Junior Masterchef, Great Chefs of Europe, and Food for
Thought. Henry was also a judge at last year's Original
Sushi Competition.
Mr. Kanehiro Takase, Head
Chef from Matsuri St James's
Ms. Silla Pernille Bjerrum, Executive Chef,
Feng Sushi
Mr. Jun Asanuma, Bureau Chief, JiJi Press
Mr. Makoto Kakebayashi, Head of the The
Original Sushi Competition committee Director General, JETRO
You
can now taste for yourself Miso Mozzarella, which
is featured on the menus of Matsuri High Holborn
and St James', Moshi Moshi Sushi, and Feng Sushi.
tickets
to Japan courtesy of ANA and one year's supply of Asahi Super
Dry. Miso Mozzarlla Sushi is now also on the menu of Moshi
Moshi Sushi, Feng Sushi and Matsuri Restaurant Group.
