JAPANESE CUISINE
CONTEST
In 2026, Iberanime will launch the Japanese Gastronomy Contest, a new national competition dedicated to hospitality and tourism students who want to showcase their talent, creativity, and passion for Japanese cuisine.
Part of the largest Japanese pop culture event in Portugal, this competition aims to promote culinary training, highlight the authenticity of Japanese cuisine, and provide a stage for young chefs from across the country.
Who is it for?
The contest is open to:
• Students aged 16 or over;
• Enrolled in cooking, pastry, or related courses;
• From hotel or tourism schools throughout the country.
Participation is individual and limited to 20 contestants, selected through a pre-evaluation phase.
How the contest works
Application
During the registration phase, each candidate must submit:
• 3 to 4 photographs of different angles of the dish you wish to present
• A detailed description, including:
– Name of the dish
– Ingredients
– Techniques used
– Inspiration and connection to Japanese cuisine
– Cultural or conceptual notes (optional)
• Photo of a student ID card from a hotel or tourism school
Applications will be evaluated by a specialized jury, which will select the 20 best dishes.
Selection and participation in the event
The 20 selected contestants will be entitled to:
• Full access to both days of Iberanime Santarém 2026
• Participation in the final round of the contest
• Certificate of participation
Participants will be divided into 4 groups of 5 contestants, ensuring a balance between vocational schools and higher education institutions.
In-person exams at Iberanime
The competition will take place on May 16 and 17, 2026, at Iberanime Santarém, in a space dedicated to gastronomy.
Stages:
• Saturday and Sunday morning:
Initial rounds, with ingredients brought by the competitors
• Saturday and Sunday afternoon:
Grand finals, with mystery ingredients, the same for both finalists and defined by the organization
The organization will provide:
• Workbench
• Induction hobs
• Refrigerator
All other utensils and ingredients are the responsibility of the contestant.
Maximum preparation time: 45 minutes
Evaluation and jury
The dishes will be evaluated based on:
• Authenticity and respect for Japanese culture
• Creativity and originality
• Balance of flavors
• Culinary technique
• Final presentation (plating)
• Time management
The jury is composed of chefs from the Association of Professional Cooks of Portugal (ACPP):
Ricardo Ferreira – Chef Restaurant Chirashi
Daniel Rente – Chef Sushi Café
Miguel Bértolo – Chef ACPP / Kitchen Food Innovation
Awards
• Cash prize of €500 for:
– Winner of Saturday’s final
– Winner of Sunday’s final
• Training voucher to be used for the ACPP Japanese Cuisine or Sushi course:
– 1st place: €500
– 2nd place: €300
• Official ACPP certificate for the winners
• Honorable mention for the runners-up (sponsor’s prize kit – to be defined)
• Certificates of participation for all competitors
• Feature on Iberanime’s official channels and social media
Calendar
• Application deadline: March 31, 2026
• Announcement of the 20 finalists: April 13, 2026
• Final exams: May 17 and 18, 2026
Participation in the Japanese Food Contest implies full acceptance of the official rules.
Apply now
If you are a hospitality student and want to showcase your talent on one of the country’s biggest stages for Japanese culture, this is your chance.
Fill out the form below and submit your application.
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