Chef Scholarship Program
The Gohan Society is proud to present the Chef Scholarship Program!
We are proud to be in our tenth year of The Gohan Society Chef Scholarship Program, which is designed to provide talented chefs with the unique opportunity to enhance their culinary skills by studying Japanese cooking techniques and ingredients while learning about Japanese culture in Japan. This two-week program has chefs staging in top restaurants in Japan, while experiencing a stay in a traditional Ryokan, and learning about this country's deep commitment to the arts, including ceramics, lacquerware, and knife making techniques. Chefs will be immersed in Japanese food culture and cuisine, including visits to Tokyo’s fish market and many restaurants specializing in various culinary specialties. As The Gohan Society is committed to the cultural and culinary exchange between the United States and Japan, we provide a similar scholarship experience in the United States to seasoned Japanese chefs from Japan.
Expenses including, hotels, transportation and meals are covered throughout this program. Testimonials from a few of our past Gohan Scholars are below:
Having the opportunity to visit not only restaurant professionals but also the artisans and purveyors that make a significant impact on the cuisine and experience itself is a great way to connect with the voice of Japanese cuisine. Artisans that are 4th generation craftsman of service-ware and restaurateurs that have taken over their families' 350 year old business are only a couple of examples of how much richness and honor there are in the people here. Chef Christopher Nye, Executive Chef Spoon & Stable, Minneapolis, MN
“The Gohan Society Scholarship Program allowed me to breakdown all barriers in cooking by providing me the opportunity to experience other people’s culture, cuisine and techniques and applying them to what I was most familiar with to create something special.”
-Chef Robert Pugh