The Japanese Food and Sake Festival, an event sponsored by the Japanese Food and Culture Association, was held on March 13th at the Orange County Hyatt Regency Hotel. With the goal of sharing the taste of genuine Japanese food, over 40 corporations and restaurants gathered together to host the event. The assembly hall was filled with the energy and enthusiasm of roughly 1000 guests of all nationalities who were treated with rare, exotic Japanese delicacies and famous sakes. The echoing sounds of festival music, Taiko drums, and vigorous cheers reminded many Japanese guests of traditional festivals back home. Guests foreign to Japanese culture stood mesmerized by the undulating motions performed by Japanese traditional dancers.
A highlight of the event included the top chef demonstrations—one from each of three famous restaurants that were present. The performance began with their entrance into a kitchen corner installed at the front of the room. “Katsu-ya” demonstrated the preparation of Maguro, which left the crowd in awe. After such an experience, the freshly-cut sashimi offered at the end of the show, was a taste to be savored.
Booths displayed rows of various foods and introduced trademark products from regions throughout Japan. From booth to booth, guests were greeted by staff members, clothed in costumes characteristic of the specific region they were presenting. The booth for the Okinawan prefecture provided guests a glimpse of their distinct food culture through taste samples of their locally famous sake, an Okinawan liquor called Awamori, and Shekwasha juice, which has a unique flavor reminiscent of the tropics.
One item that we mustn’t neglect is the famous Japanese Green Tea, of which methods for its appeal seem endless. Some guests were served green tea in the traditional manner, which required time and care in its preparations, while others enjoyed a quick brew with the added scent of berries. There were even shops which offered their own innovative versions of Japanese Tea.
A single word is not enough to describe the vast world of sushi. The list extends from “white sushi,” or sushi rolled in soy paper, to machine-made sushi, where each roll is created with incredible efficiency and accuracy. It was a common site to find guests with chopsticks frozen-in-hand, captivated by the sight of a skillful sushi chef’s handwork.
So… what were people lined up for? Sashimi freshly cut on the spot and Wagyu-beef shabu shabu!! Mmm…with such great appetizers the sake tastes even better!
Sushi, course dishes, sake, and desserts! This was the full taste of Japan that left guests feeling completely satisfied. With the additional live performances of the Taiko and Koto, the Japanese Food and Sake Festival was a feast for both the eyes and taste buds. It’s an event worth attending more than once—an event that will surely draw you back a second time.
