Seven Sushi Samurai 
 
The sixth 2009 Sushi Samurai has now been confirmed - we're delighted to be welcoming Michelin-starred Sayan Isaksson from Sweden! The full 2009 Seven Sushi Samurai line-up will be announced shortly! Keep an eye on our regular online updates or visit Eat-Japan for the latest news.

Stockholm, Sweden
Råkultur
Sayan ISAKSSON
Sayan is Executive Chef and Co-Owner of Esperanto, Sweden's number one restaurant, and the newly opened Råkultur (Raw Culture). He is a Michelin-starred chef and a two-time Culinary World Cup winner. His exciting take on sushi is a delight to all the senses!

California, West Coast, USA
Sushi Ran
Mitsunori KUSAKABE

The defending champion! Mitsunori’s Seven “Rice” Samurai entry last year blasted the competition away with its simplicity and ingenuity. Mitsunori has had a series of triumphs such as winning the 6th American Sushi Skills trophy, and the restaurant held a Michelin star.
 

Madrid, Spain
Kabuki Wellington
Ricardo SANZ

Ricardo is at the helm of Kabuki Wellington, an award winning restaurant in Madrid that has the whole of Spain talking. Having trained under a Japanese sushi chef, Ricardo now serves up stunningly original Spanish sushi, bringing a fresh Mediterranean twist to a classic Japanese cuisine.
  

Milan, ITALY
Becht Brendan S.a.s.
Brendan BECH

Brendan began his career working in Michelin starred restaurants in Paris and Milan. He has set up exclusive Italian restaurants in Japan and now works as Executive Chef for BVLGARI. Don’t miss his Sushi Italiano concept – an exciting gastronomic sushi sensation!
 

Tokyo, Japan
Sushizen
Tomoyuki ABE

Tomoyuki will be representing Sushizen, one of Japan’s best sushi restaurants, founded in 1971. Today it has 9 branches, overseen by Tsutomu Shimamiya, a recognised ‘Modern-day Master Craftsman’. He’s sending his right-hand man to take on the world.
 

London, UK
Nobu
Taiji MARUYAMA

Nobu is without a doubt a flagship for Japanese food worldwide, and is a magnet for celebrities and foodies. Taiji is a rising young star at Nobu in London, UK. Born into a family who run a sushi restaurant, Taiji has dedicated his whole life to sushi.