Antwerp to host the first-ever Benelux qualifying round for the World Sushi Cup

The port city has been chosen to host the very first edition of the Benelux Sushi Cup on April 1st. Sushi chefs will compete in this official elimination round to reach the international final of the prestigious World Sushi Cup in Tokyo.

Chef Junko Kawada, owner of the Antwerp establishment Ko'uzi Sushi, won a silver medal at the 2013 World Sushi Cup. © Marnix and Ally

"I am extremely proud to launch the first edition of the Benelux Sushi Cup, a major step toward a stronger and more connected sushi community in the Benelux," explains Chef Junko Kawada, owner of Ko'Uzi Sushi in Antwerp and official partner of this event. The event allows professionals to network and inspire one another. "It is a place where passion and craftsmanship meet, offering sushi chefs the opportunity to challenge themselves, refine their skills, and elevate their standard."

Held under the patronage of Governor Cathy Berx and Provincial Deputy Luk Lemmens, the preliminary round will take place at the facilities of the Provincial Institute for Food Industries Antwerp (PIVA). Far from being a simple speed contest, the event offers a full three-day program, including theoretical seminars and practical workshops. This will be followed by a technical competition involving the evaluation of fish cutting (sashimi) and the precision of the mise-en-place, the preparation of classic sushi (nigiri, hoso-maki), and a creative round where the jury will scrutinize the composition, balance of flavors, and originality.

Candidates will be evaluated by five international experts. The jury will notably include the director of the WSSI as well as Michelin-starred chefs or world champions from New York, Luxembourg, Portugal, and the Czech Republic.

The event also takes place within a strong diplomatic context, marking the 160th anniversary of relations between Belgium and Japan. As such, the Antwerp Sushi Cup has received official recognition from the Japanese Embassy in Belgium and benefits from the support of major Japanese food brands such as Yamasa and Mizkan.