Edo-Tokyo Vegetable Cooking Contest for High School Students 2026 Announced!

JA Tokyo Chuokai is once again hosting a cooking contest for high school students in Tokyo who love to cook. The goal is to provide opportunities to 'learn, know, and taste' the charm of Edo-Tokyo vegetables and Tokyo-grown produce, while passing on the history and legacy of these vegetables to the future. This 5th edition will feature a symposium on the day of the awards ceremony at the 'Tokyo Ajiwai Festa' stage, involving students, producers, and distributors. This year's featured ingredient is 'Ashitaba.' Eligibility is open to students in Tokyo high schools and colleges of technology, either individually or in teams. The application deadline is June 30. Eight works selected through document screening will proceed to the practical examination on October 12, and the top five will be announced at the awards ceremony on October 24. The winning dishes will be commercialized by professionals and sold via food trucks. Edo-Tokyo vegetables are traditional varieties that carry on Tokyo's vegetable culture since the Edo period. Ashitaba is highly nutritious and gaining attention as a health vegetable. Please check the official website for details.