Eiji Nakamura 中村榮治: Yamagata Premium Sake Dinner 山形県銘酒特別酒ディナー懐石 11.28 2015

In November 28, 2015, "Yamagata Premium Sake Dinner" in I by Inagiku, W Guangzhou! 5 different types of Premium Sake from Yamagata prefecture, pairing with 8 courses Seasonal Kaiseki Set, including Yamagata's specialty dish "Imo-Ni" -simmered baby taro with wagyu beef-.

Fresh seasonal ingredients and Collection of Sake cups and bottle/carafe made in Japan

I have started preparing this event back in July. Working together with a sake supplier introduced by a Japanese chef, Chef Yamada, from Inagiku in Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre. Started from trying out several different types of Sake and select the ones which are unique, different to each others and yet go perfectly well with my food. And, at the end, I have decided to go with the Award Wining Sake from Yamagata prefecture and create a Yamagata themed kaiseki set menu.

Sake tasting in July.

Selected sake list for the sake dinner

Ginrei Gassan "Sechu Jukusei" Junmai Ginjo & Junmai Dai Ginjo (1st and 2nd from the left)

Toko "Karakuchi" Junmai Dai Ginjo, Daiginjo and Ginjo "Umeshu" (3rd, 4th and 5th from the left)

After picked those 5 different types of Award Wining Sake, made by two different sake brewer, one is "Ginrei Gassan" and other is "Toko", I drafted the Kaiseki set menu for the Sake dinner and send it out to those two sake brewer. I am a professional cook but those people from the brewer know which sake go with what kind of food, better than me. So, I need to show them the menu and make sure the food and their sake goes well (After listening to their opinions, I actually made a miner change on the menu).

Sake knowledge training in private dining room "Ume"

Before the Sake dinner, we also have scheduled a training session for the service staff. The training conducted by the sake supplier and also a president of the sake brewer "Toko" from Yamagata prefecture. He even brouhgt his company's signature "Toko Sake Facial Mask" as a give away gift for the sake dinner guests!

Thanks to all the support I got from the supplier, Sake brewers, a friend/Japanese chef and the hard work from my team, both service and kitchen, the Sake dinner event was very successful and, most importantly, all the guests who came for this event have enjoyed the night and been happy!!