professional sushi competition for non-Japanese chefs
The BENELUX SUSHI CUP event will take place in the prestigious culinary school in Antwerp, PIVA.
30th of march, 2026
Masterclass (theory)
31st of March, 2026
Masterclass (practical)
+ written test for the “sushi proficiency certificate”
1st of April, 2026
Competition
Master Hirotoshi Ogawa, known as “sushi samurai” in Japan, brings his expertise to the Benelux countries!
The seminar will be given in Japanese, then translated in English.
Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the following:
The first winner gets a free ticket to Japan for the World Sushi Cup in August 2026!!
PROGRAM
10h15- 12h30 – PART I
Katsuramuki
Sanmai Oroshi
Sashimi plate
Edomae plate
13h45- 15h15 – PART II
Creative plate
Tasting plate
16h15
Award ceremony
Founder and Director of the Sushi School Narita
Known as “Sushi Samurai”, he has taught the art of sushi in over 50 countries and trained numerous Michelin-starred chefs. His teaching is not limited to techniques, but also encompasses “spirit”, “attitude” and “hospitality”.
Since 2025, he has opened his own ‘dojo’, a sushi school in Narita, to train foreign chefs in intensive courses.
Born in Peru, his career path led him to master Japanese cuisine and work in the world’s most renowned sushi restaurants (New York, Austin, LA and Tokyo) alongside the finest masters such as Morimoto, Azabu, Uchi, Hirohisa and Akashi.
At his restaurant KANSHA, he is bringing all his passion for Japanese cuisine and his Peruvian heritage into creating the Nikkei menu.
After graduating from Shimizu Marine Technical College, he began his culinary career in Saitama and later gained experience in Tokyo at several establishments including the prestigious Esquire Club.
At 25, he moved to France to refine his skills. After years of experience in Europe, he settled in Luxembourg and opened in 2020 his own restaurant, RYODO. The restaurant earned one Michelin star in 2022, the same year he was named Chef of the Year by Gault & Millau.
He continues to blend Japanese culinary with European influences.
An Executive Chef with 20+ years of international experience, specializing in traditional and creative sushi.
A World Sushi Cup Japan award winner, he holds a Kuroobi black belt from World Sushi Skills Institute, and is an instructor at the Nagoya Sushi School in Portugal and Italy.
With experience in renowned hotels and restaurants in Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Brazil, and Japan, he masters multiple cuisines and advanced techniques such as ikejime, sous-vide, molecular gastronomy.
Trained in Prague, Japan and UK, he has devoted himself to Japanese cuisine for over 30 years, rising from executive chef to owner-chef of YAMATO (2013-2023).
He has participated in several competitions around the world, such as the World Sushi Stadium (Japan), the Seven Sushi Samurai (United Kingdom) and the World Sushi Cup (Japan).
Appointed Goodwill Ambassador for Japanese Cuisine by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, he was Head Chef at the Japanese pavilion during the G7 summits in Davos in 2024 and 2025.
In February 2026, he opened YAMAYA, a new omakase restaurant in Prague.
“I am extremely proud to launch the first edition of the Benelux Sushi Cup, a major step toward a stronger and more connected sushi community in the Benelux,”
Owner of Ko’uzi Sushi in Antwerp and official organiser of this event, Junko is active as a member of the WSSI since 2015: she has participated in various events throughout Europe, notably as a jury member of competitions in France, Romania, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Italy… Also contributed to the creation of the first European Sushi Championship held in Monaco in 2023.
– Candidates must be nationals or residents of the Benelux countries (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg).
– Candidates must have more than 3 years working experience as a sushi chef.
– Candidates must follow the 2 days masterclass (admission-paid) and pass a written test to get the “Sushi Proficiency Certificate” issued by the World Sushi Skills Institute (WSSI)*
*If you already have the certificate, this step can be skipped.
are closed.
Do you work in the restaurant, catering, food distribution, or food retail sector?
If so, please complete the registration form below to receive your invitation to visit the event.
Not working as a food professional but still interested in the event?
You can follow us on our Instagram or here on the website. More details will be announced soon.
9h30 – Opening ceremony
10h15- 12h30 – Competition: daikon, sashimi, traditional plate
13h45- 15h15 – Competition: creative plate
16h15 – Award ceremony
*The schedule might be subject to change depending on organizational requirements
