Reception for Promoting Japanese Cuisine and Japanese-Georgian Culinary Exchange, Co-hosted by Tbilisi Marriott Hotel

On September 20, the Embassy of Japan in Georgia, in collaboration with the Tbilisi Marriott, held a reception at the hotel to promote Japanese cuisine and encourage a culinary exchange between Japan and Georgia.

With the increasing demand for Japanese cuisine in the region in recent years, the reception aimed to showcase Japanese food through demonstrations and a collaborative performance by chefs from both countries.

At the beginning of the event, Ambassodor Ishizuka Hideki introduced the connection between Japan and Georgia, highlighting how both Japanese traditional dietary cultures “Washoku" and Georgia’s Qvevri wine-making tradition were registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013. He emphasized the importance of culinary exchange, where understanding can be achieved without language, and the significance of promoting bilateral relations through mutual exchange.
 

Following this, pianist Mr. Usui Toshiki performed two music pieces: “Song without words" by Georgian composer Mr. Azarashvili and Japanese folk song “Sakura Sakura” arranged by Mr. Hirai Kozaburo.

During the demonstration, Ms. Yuko Kanazaki, the chef at the official residence of the embassy, presented the art of sushi-making, while Mr. Leri Darsavelidze, the chef at the Marriott, demonstrated the preparation of Khinkali. Both chefs also exchanged techniques for their respective traditional dishes. Freshly made sushi and Khinkali were served to the members of the local diplomatic corps, international organizations, culinary school instructors, and media attendees, highlighting the appeal of Japanese cuisine and the cultural exchange through food.