【Marche Group】The 9th Grilling Master Contest National Final Tournament Held, The Pinnacle of Grilling Finally Decided!!
Marche Co., Ltd. held the 9th Grilling Master Contest National Final Tournament on April 22, 2026, where 10 selected grilling artisans from across the country competed in charcoal grilling techniques. Toshihiro Nakamura from Aki-Yokogawa Hachiemon won, and the pinnacle of grilling was finally decided.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 19:30
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 12, 2026 at 08:05 (21h 33m after Collected)
Marche Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Abeno-ku, Osaka; Representative Director and President: Yoji Kato), which operates izakayas nationwide under the motto "People, deliciousness, and enjoyment," held the Marche Group "9th Grilling Master Contest National Final Tournament" at its headquarters on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Grilling artisans selected from various areas gathered to compete in charcoal grilling techniques. This tournament, which evaluated overall skills such as taste, appearance, and posture, saw a fierce competition worthy of determining the pinnacle of grilling.
Marche Group 9th Grilling Master Contest National Final Tournament
■ Elite Grilling Masters Selected from Across the Nation Gather
Ten grilling artisans representing various areas such as Kanto, Nagoya, Kansai, Okayama, and Hiroshima participated in this tournament. Armed with techniques and experience cultivated through daily operations, they pursued the ultimate skewer.
The cooking and judging took place in the Marche headquarters 1F kitchen. Amidst the fragrant aroma of charcoal and intense tension, the contestants focused on each skewer, engaging in a serious competition.
Click here for scenes from the preliminary rounds
■ What is the Grilling Master Contest?
Our group holds the Grilling Master Contest annually in each area with the aim of "deciding the No. 1 'Grilling Master' nationwide!"
The purpose of this contest is not merely to compete in skills. Participating artisans clash with their charcoal grilling techniques honed through daily operations, and bring back the "discoveries" and "experiences" gained on the spot to their stores, spreading them. The ultimate goal is for artisans who have grown through the tournament to provide enhanced "yakitori" and bring joy to local customers.
Originally an event for the "Sumibiyaki Hakken-den" brand, it has gained increasing popularity year by year with participants from other brands such as "Hakken Sakaba," "Eenen," and "Hachiemon," all confident in their grilling skills.
■ A Tense Competition Format with a Time Limit
The competition was conducted within a 10-minute time limit, making speed and accuracy in achieving the best grilling results important evaluation points. Furthermore, before the start of the competition, a standard "trial grilling" was performed to unify grilling doneness and evaluation criteria, ensuring fairness and transparency in judging.
No. 0 (Trial Grilling) Hamaguchi MG
■ Comprehensive Judging Evaluating Taste, Technique, and Demeanor
This tournament conducted evaluations on two axes: "Taste Judging" and "Posture Judging." Taste judging strictly evaluated grilling doneness, aroma, and taste balance. In posture judging, in addition to grilling techniques, the "beauty as a griller," such as stance and demeanor, was also evaluated, making it a tournament that assessed overall ability.
Taste Judging Room (Headquarters 2F, 8 judges) Posture Judges (2 people)
■ Operational System and On-site Capability Supporting the Tournament
This tournament is supported by meticulous coordination among personnel in various fields such as time management, score tabulation, venue operation, and photography, in addition to the participants' skills, achieving smooth and fair competition progress. This detailed operational system maximizes the participants' abilities, enhances the overall completeness of the tournament, and embodies our company's unique initiative that demonstrates on-site capability and teamwork.
Light meals
Venue operation
Photography
Preparation of spare charcoal
■ The Moment of Glory, The "Grilling Master" is Decided
【1st Place】Toshihiro Nakamura from Aki-Yokogawa Hachiemon
【1st Place】Toshihiro Nakamura from Aki-Yokogawa Hachiemon
To all members of Marche Headquarters and participating franchise stores, thank you for your hard work. As an OB who loves Marche, I believed that enlivening the Grilling Master Contest would contribute to the prosperity of the Marche Group, so I have been participating as a contestant since the previous tournament.
This time, I received the highly honorable award of winning the national tournament, and I feel that my daily efforts have been rewarded. The grilling techniques of the Marche Group are second to none. To further refine them, I will continue to promote the Grilling Master Contest from the Hiroshima area so that more participants will join and the contest will become even more exciting.
Let's all work together to make the 10th Grilling Master Contest even more exciting.
Click here for Toshihiro Nakamura's grilling scene, the first-place winner
【2nd Place】Naoto Sasao from Hakken-den Onoda Ekimae Store
Personally, I am very frustrated that I couldn't achieve consecutive victories. I will come back next year with more imagination to win!
I was very happy that the Hiroshima area achieved consecutive victories. I learned a lot. Thank you very much.
*8th champion.
【2nd Place】Naoto Sasao from Hakken-den Onoda Ekimae Store
【3rd Place】Manabu Detake from Hakken-den Kamikitazawa Store
【3rd Place】Manabu Detake from Hakken-den Kamikitazawa Store
Although I moved up one rank from last year, I am very frustrated that I couldn't get my revenge. If I have another chance, I will dedicate myself to winning.
*7th champion.
【4th Place】Toshihide Oiwa from Hakken-den Sanjo Store
Although I couldn't reach the championship and feel some frustration, I was again among the top contenders this time.
Marche Group 9th Grilling Master Contest National Final Tournament
■ Elite Grilling Masters Selected from Across the Nation Gather
Ten grilling artisans representing various areas such as Kanto, Nagoya, Kansai, Okayama, and Hiroshima participated in this tournament. Armed with techniques and experience cultivated through daily operations, they pursued the ultimate skewer.
The cooking and judging took place in the Marche headquarters 1F kitchen. Amidst the fragrant aroma of charcoal and intense tension, the contestants focused on each skewer, engaging in a serious competition.
Click here for scenes from the preliminary rounds
■ What is the Grilling Master Contest?
Our group holds the Grilling Master Contest annually in each area with the aim of "deciding the No. 1 'Grilling Master' nationwide!"
The purpose of this contest is not merely to compete in skills. Participating artisans clash with their charcoal grilling techniques honed through daily operations, and bring back the "discoveries" and "experiences" gained on the spot to their stores, spreading them. The ultimate goal is for artisans who have grown through the tournament to provide enhanced "yakitori" and bring joy to local customers.
Originally an event for the "Sumibiyaki Hakken-den" brand, it has gained increasing popularity year by year with participants from other brands such as "Hakken Sakaba," "Eenen," and "Hachiemon," all confident in their grilling skills.
■ A Tense Competition Format with a Time Limit
The competition was conducted within a 10-minute time limit, making speed and accuracy in achieving the best grilling results important evaluation points. Furthermore, before the start of the competition, a standard "trial grilling" was performed to unify grilling doneness and evaluation criteria, ensuring fairness and transparency in judging.
No. 0 (Trial Grilling) Hamaguchi MG
■ Comprehensive Judging Evaluating Taste, Technique, and Demeanor
This tournament conducted evaluations on two axes: "Taste Judging" and "Posture Judging." Taste judging strictly evaluated grilling doneness, aroma, and taste balance. In posture judging, in addition to grilling techniques, the "beauty as a griller," such as stance and demeanor, was also evaluated, making it a tournament that assessed overall ability.
Taste Judging Room (Headquarters 2F, 8 judges) Posture Judges (2 people)
■ Operational System and On-site Capability Supporting the Tournament
This tournament is supported by meticulous coordination among personnel in various fields such as time management, score tabulation, venue operation, and photography, in addition to the participants' skills, achieving smooth and fair competition progress. This detailed operational system maximizes the participants' abilities, enhances the overall completeness of the tournament, and embodies our company's unique initiative that demonstrates on-site capability and teamwork.
Light meals
Venue operation
Photography
Preparation of spare charcoal
■ The Moment of Glory, The "Grilling Master" is Decided
【1st Place】Toshihiro Nakamura from Aki-Yokogawa Hachiemon
【1st Place】Toshihiro Nakamura from Aki-Yokogawa Hachiemon
To all members of Marche Headquarters and participating franchise stores, thank you for your hard work. As an OB who loves Marche, I believed that enlivening the Grilling Master Contest would contribute to the prosperity of the Marche Group, so I have been participating as a contestant since the previous tournament.
This time, I received the highly honorable award of winning the national tournament, and I feel that my daily efforts have been rewarded. The grilling techniques of the Marche Group are second to none. To further refine them, I will continue to promote the Grilling Master Contest from the Hiroshima area so that more participants will join and the contest will become even more exciting.
Let's all work together to make the 10th Grilling Master Contest even more exciting.
Click here for Toshihiro Nakamura's grilling scene, the first-place winner
【2nd Place】Naoto Sasao from Hakken-den Onoda Ekimae Store
Personally, I am very frustrated that I couldn't achieve consecutive victories. I will come back next year with more imagination to win!
I was very happy that the Hiroshima area achieved consecutive victories. I learned a lot. Thank you very much.
*8th champion.
【2nd Place】Naoto Sasao from Hakken-den Onoda Ekimae Store
【3rd Place】Manabu Detake from Hakken-den Kamikitazawa Store
【3rd Place】Manabu Detake from Hakken-den Kamikitazawa Store
Although I moved up one rank from last year, I am very frustrated that I couldn't get my revenge. If I have another chance, I will dedicate myself to winning.
*7th champion.
【4th Place】Toshihide Oiwa from Hakken-den Sanjo Store
Although I couldn't reach the championship and feel some frustration, I was again among the top contenders this time.