To celebrate the appointment of Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassadors , The Embassy of Japan hosted a ceremony on 24 February, honouring Chef Nooresha Kably and Chef Brehadeesh Kumar for their contributions to promoting authentic Japanese cuisine in India. Their appointment was announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan last December.
The event featured an array of Japanese dishes prepared by the newly appointed ambassadors, offering a taste of their expertise. Guests from the Indian government and the food industry attended the ceremony. It also included a selection of Japanese Sake to celebrate registering "Traditional Knowledge and Skills of Sake-Making with Koji Mold in Japan" as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2024.
Both ambassadors have played a key role in popularising Japanese cuisine in India. Kably, chef and owner of Izumi, and Kumar, chef and owner of Ginkgo, have built reputations for their dedication to promoting authentic Japanese cuisine in India. This year, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) appointed nine new ambassadors globally, bringing the total to 211, with these two chefs representing India.
This appointment marks a significant step in strengthening India-Japan cultural and culinary ties, encouraging more people in India to explore and appreciate the depth of Japanese cuisine and sake.