Lesson Report: Special 1-Day Fish Cutting Session and World Sushi Cup Japan 2023 - Congratulations, Peter!
Feb 3, 2024
Our first lesson of year 2024 was truly exceptional! Frontier Zipang Washoku Class (FZWC) had the privilege of hosting Peter, an accomplished head sushi chef from Poland, for a special one-day fish cutting session. With his extensive experience, Peter visited FZWC to gear up for the World Sushi Cup Japan 2023, which took place from January 18 to 20, 2024. As a finalist from last year, he was determined to secure the championship this time.
We prepared aji (horse mackerels), kohada (gizzard shads), akagai (blood clams), and anago (conger eels) for Peter to practice on. These selections were essential, as he needed to fillet and prepare them accurately within a limited time during the open competition. Moreover, faster filleting not only showcased his proficiency but also earned him additional points. Notably, akagai and anago are not frequently utilized in sushi restaurants in Europe. This made intensive practice crucial for further refining his filleting and preparation skills.
First, he engaged in intensive practice, perfecting the art of filleting aji and kohada.
Next, preparing akagai can be quite challenging, but our instructor showed Peter the ropes, and he focused intently on perfecting the technique.
Then delving deep into the intricate art of filleting anago, Peter refined his skills through intensive practice and guidance from our instructor. As a culmination of the session, he underwent a timed trial, filleting 2 anagos, 1 akagai, and 2 ajis – the same set he would be required to handle in the upcoming competition. Remarkably, he successfully completed the assignment in less than 15 minutes!
In the blink of an eye, our one-day session became a whirlwind of learning. It was an invaluable experience supporting Peter in fine-tuning his skills ahead of an important competition. Wishing Peter the best of luck and great success from all our instructors and staff members!
On Saturday, January 20, our team visited Tokyosu for the World Sushi Cup Japan, where we enthusiastically supported Peter. He successfully advanced to the final round and participated in the Creative Sushi Open Competition. As he meticulously crafted his sushi masterpiece, the tension in the air was palpable. One can only imagine the difficulty of creating sushi under the watchful eyes of the judges!
Peter successfully completed crafting his creative sushi within the time limit. The artwork he fashioned was remarkably artistic, drawing inspiration from the iconic Mt. Fuji and the delicate beauty of cherry blossoms in Japan. As he put the finishing touches on his creation, the tension that had gripped him seemed to finally ease, and he smiled warmly at our team.
About an hour later, the winners of World Sushi Cup were announced during the award ceremony. We were elated to hear that Peter secured 2nd place in the overall category at the World Sushi Cup Japan 2023! In addition, he achieved 2nd place in the Edo-mae Sushi Open Competition and received the Company Award from Aoko Hamono Seisakusho Co., Ltd!
His consistent everyday efforts and hard work led to this remarkable accomplishment. FZWC couldn’t be happier to support him and witness this moment of success.
Since the establishment of FZWC last September, we have had the incredible opportunity to connect with people from all corners of the globe. This time, we had the privilege of collaborating with Peter to prepare for the upcoming World Sushi Cup Japan 2023. We were also very delighted to meet Mr. Alon Than, the owner and head chef of Alon Omakase, the chef owner of Izumi Sushi, and the champion of World Sushi Cup Japan 2015!
For those in Poland seeking an authentic sushi experience showcasing proven skills, we highly recommend a visit to Alon Omakase (https://omakase.eu/en/) and Izumi Sushi (https://bialy-kamien.izumisushi.eu/).
When visiting World Sushi Cup Japan for the first time, we were very happy to witness the global love for the most traditional Japanese cuisine. We strongly believe that sushi has the ability to bring people together from different parts of the world, fostering connections and shared appreciation for this particular cuisine. FZWC is committed to contributing its efforts to promote sushi and pass on accurate skills and knowledge to the next generation, irrespective of nationality.
Finally, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Peter for selecting FZWC for his pre-competition training, and we’re thrilled to congratulate him on securing 2nd place in the World Sushi Cup Japan 2023. Looking forward to collaborating again in the future. Stay in touch, and until we meet again! Wishing Peter continued good health, prosperity, and even more success!
