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ANA & Luxeat to bring authentic taste of Japan to London

– Japan’s largest 5-Star airline* and fashionable food blog create luxury dining experience –
– World’s best ‘shokunins’ will create masterful menus at Yashin Ocean House restaurant –
– Exclusive tickets go on sale from 7th September 2018 –

3rd September 2018, London — Lovers of Japanese culture and cuisine are set for a treat later this October and November when All Nippon Airways (ANA) and premium food blog Luxeat have scheduled to fly some of Japan’s first-class culinary masters – or shokunin – to London for a unique dining experience.

Japan’s award-winning 5-Star airline has partnered with Aiste Miseviciute, the former fashion model turned food blogger and founder of Luxeat, to bring an authentic flavour of Japan to the UK capital. A trio of tasting occasions dubbed ‘Culinary Journeys’ will see fabled food masters from Japan showcase their artistry at modern dining destination Yashin Ocean House from 29th October to 2nd November.

Guests were treated to a fusion of food with dishes created by, and reflecting the expertise of, three of the best shokunin in Japan. They are:

• Two Michelin star sushi master Kouji Kimura, dubbed the ‘father of aged sushi’ for his distinctive technique in taking the traditional art of aging fish to new levels and combining this with pioneering new styles of sushi;
• Japanese beef master Kentaro Nakahara, regarded as one of the best Wagyu shokunins in Tokyo and whose Wagyu katsu sandwich is considered among the best in the world;
• Tempura master Shuji Niitome, known for his speciality seafood, meats and vegetables and whose 10-seat tempura restaurant in Nagoya is ranked the best by the prestigious tabelog com guide.

This is the first time three of the world’s leading sushi, Wagyu and tempura shokunins will cook together, offering a once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience for guests. Some are expected to travel all the way from Japan for the event as securing a reservation at the chefs’ own sell-out restaurants is notoriously difficult.

The initiative forms part of ANA’s ‘We Are Japan’ programme, designed to create a deeper appreciation of the island nation and its culture – and to connect with those who share a passion for the best the country has to offer. The announcement comes amidst a growing spotlight shining on Japan, with the decade’s fastest-growing major destination continuing to set trends. They include Ikigai, a lifestyle concept described as the secret to a long and happy life – and food is an important part of the equation.

Nanako Murakami, Manager, EMEA Marketing & PR for All Nippon Airways, said: “ We Are Japan reflects ANA’s ambition to use our Japanese spirit and growing network to create treasured memories for all our guests. This extends beyond premium in-flight service to enriching travel experiences both on and off the plane. ANA’s Culinary Journeys with Luxeat is one way we’re looking to give more people an authentic flavour of Japan and we’re very excited to be working with Aiste on this unique experience.”

Aiste Miseviciute, who once graced the cover of Vogue before founding Luxeat, added: “I’ve been fortunate enough to travel the world and experience different cultures and cuisines, but Japanese food holds a special place in my heart. These three shokunin are among the best in Japan and it’s the very first time they will be coming to London and working together, so it really is a special opportunity for fans of Japanese culture and cuisine to get a taste of their renowned mastery right here in the UK capital.”

Miseviciute created her Luxeat blog over a decade ago after her years of modelling around the globe stimulated a love for sampling delicacies from different cultures. Now an established food writer and documentary maker, she splits her time between London and Ibiza and constantly strives to deepen her knowledge to provide her more than 53,000 followers with the best possible content.

ANA is also amassing followers for its recently launched We Are Japan content platform. The airline has been piloting short-form branded content created around seven pillars – EAT. DRINK. SEE. STAY. DO. DISCOVER. GO. with stunning photography, exclusive film and expert insight.

Japan is the decade’s fastest growing major destination according to figures from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and has set its sights on welcoming over 40 million overseas arrivals by 2020. The sovereign island nation is already the 12th most visited country on the planet, with 28.7 million overseas travellers in 2017.

In 2018 ANA was named ‘Airline of the Year’ by Air Transport World (ATW) in the Airline Industry Achievement Awards – the most coveted honour in recognition of an airline’s outstanding performance, innovation and superior service. Last month ANA won the ‘Best Airline Staff in Asia’ for the fourth year running at the SKYTRAX World Airline Awards, along with ‘World’s Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness’. ANA has also been recognised by SKYTRAX as a 5-Star airline for the last six consecutive years.

Supporters of the event include best in class caviar producer Rossini Caviar and highest quality Japanese beef supplier Tamura Beef.