Original Zoni Contest "4th Z-1 Grand Prix" Grand Prix Final (Final Judging) Press Coverage Applications Now Open

Judges Toru Okuda (left) and Wataru Ikeda (right) The Japan Association of Training Colleges for Cooks (President: Junichi Nakagawa, Location: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) has organized the "4th Z-1 Grand Prix," an original Zoni contest aimed at preserving the food culture of Zoni, and will hold the Grand Prix Final (final judging) on Friday, May 22, 2026. The judging process, where the Grand Prix will be decided among the 5 works that advanced to the finals, will be open only to the press. If you wish to cover the event, please apply via the form or application sheet by fax by Wednesday, May 13, 2026. From 1,636 Zoni recipes collected from elementary, junior high, and high school students nationwide and received at culinary schools, the Grand Prix and Runner-up will be decided in this final round from the 5 works that passed the first and second screenings. For the tasting examination, teachers and students of the Tokyo Sushi & Washoku School will reproduce the recipes based on the submitted applications, and a panel of judges, including experts in Japanese cuisine (described later), will taste and judge them. Media representatives attending the event will also have the opportunity to taste the dishes on the day. - Date & Time: Friday, May 22, 2026, 13:30-15:00 - Venue: Tokyo Sushi & Washoku School (2-30-14 Ikejiri, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo) - Cooking: Teachers and students of Tokyo Sushi & Washoku School - 5 Finalist Works: *Plating images provided by applicants, school grades at the time of application Colorful Eight Fortunes Inamuduchi Zoni ~Traditional Okinawa x New Spring~ Creator: Keno Higashiyonaha (2nd-year student, Ishigaki Municipal Ishigaki Junior High School) et al. Recommendation: Ryukyu Culinary & Confectionery College (Okinawa) Blessings of Ise Zoni ~With Ise Yam Meatballs and Ise Tea Chazuke Style~ Creator: Momoka Tokunaga (2nd-year student, Mie Prefectural Akeno High School) Recommendation: Humanitec Culinary & Confectionery College (Mie) Inankuru (Happiness) Kaisen (Seafood) Zoni Creator: Misa Kondo (2nd-year student, Hokkaido Bunkyo University High School) Recommendation: Hokkaido Bunkyo University High School (Hokkaido) Gifu Yakuzen Zoni Creator: Rumi Hayashi (2nd-year student, Jonan High School) Recommendation: Gifu Culinary Professional Training College (Gifu) Tenmusu Zoni Creator: Chisako Kinoshita (2nd-year student, Aichi Prefectural Zuiryo High School) Recommendation: Nichiei Culinary Professional Training College (Aichi) - Judges: Tetsuya Hasegawa (Principal, Tokyo Sushi & Washoku School) and two students from the school Toru Okuda (Owner, "Ginza Kojyu") Wataru Ikeda (Actor/Talent) The connection between annual events and meals is a vital element of "Washoku," which has become a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Above all, New Year's events to celebrate the new year are cherished by Japanese people since ancient times. The "Zoni" eaten at that time is rich in local color, with regional characteristics in the ingredients handled and cooking methods, making it one of the representative Japanese food cultures. However, due to changes in lifestyles, opportunities for families to gather, eat Zoni, and celebrate the New Year are decreasing. Cooks play an essential role in preserving food culture. Our association, as an organization of schools that train cooks, has focused on food education. The "Z-1 Grand Prix" was planned as part of dietary education activities to pass down Zoni culture. Starting with a pre-tournament, this contest has been held four times in total, each receiving over 1,000 applications. Among past Grand Prix-winning works, some have been commercialized, leading to sales promotion of special local products used, or actually sold at restaurants with the cooperation of local hotels, realizing regional revitalization and contribution through food. Past Tasting Examination Scenes - WEB page https://www.jatcc.or.jp/works/education/z-1/ - Name: 4th Z-1 Grand Prix (Pronunciation of "Z-1": Zet-one) - Period: December 2025 - May 2026 - Theme: "My Original Zoni Using Local Ingredients That I Want to Eat Anytime!" - Eligible Participants Elementary, junior high, and high school students nationwide *Individuals or groups are acceptable *Only one entry per person or group - Awards Supplementary prizes from sponsoring companies will be presented to works that pass the second screening. Certificates will be awarded to the Grand Prix and Runner-up works. - Judging Flow First and second screenings