Gohan Society celebrates the food of Kaga with Ambassador Sakurai
On February 20, The Gohan Society presented a dinner of Kaga cuisine at the residence of Ambassador Motoatsu Sakurai, Chief Consul General to the Consulate-General of Japan in New York . Kaga is a city in Ishikawa prefecture situated on the central west coast of the main island of Honshu . Kaga, in older times referred to the province (kuni) which occupied the southern part of present day Ishikawa Prefecture
This area was a stronghold of the powerful Maeda clan of Samurai during the Edo (or Tokugawa) period, from 1603-1868. The landscape is distinguished by its old castles, sites of worship, and hot springs , which are constant attractions for tourists to Kaga and its environs. The arts and crafts flourished in Kaga during this period when it was a focal point in early Japanese commerce; its pottery industry and contributions to the practice of the Tea Ceremony are notable. The elegant yet earthy cuisine of this area stresses the importance of fresh seasonal ingredients
The meal for this evening’s engagement was planned and prepared by Shinichiro Takagi, owner and executive chef of Zeniya, located in his native city of Kanazawa in Ishikawa prefecture. Takagi is a world-renowned chef whose preparations are profoundly inspired by the traditional cuisines of the Ishikawa region..
The Honorable Ambassador Sakurai’s generous hospitality for hosting this very special event is greatly appreciated.