The European Sushi Championship is set to return for its second edition in Monaco on November 4, 2024, hosted at the distinguished Japanese restaurant THE NIWAKI. Founded by Julien Panet in 2023, this unique event has quickly gained traction as a premier showcase of sushi craftsmanship across Europe, bringing together top sushi chefs from nine countries to compete for the title.
Sushi Robots, the leading European provider of machines for Japanese cuisine, has taken the reins this year as organizer. Known for its expertise in sushi automation, the company is enhancing its role in promoting Japanese culinary culture in Europe through events like this championship. With a reputation for innovation in the sushi industry, Sushi Robots recently launched a training center, the Japanese Cuisine Academy, along with Izy-bots, a new brand of robots tailored for culinary professionals across various sectors.
Competitors from Across Europe
This year’s European Sushi Championship will see candidates from nine countries, including Belgium, Spain, Italy, Monaco, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Sweden. France’s representative, Tino Singharaj, winner of the 2024 French Sushi Championship, will also join the competition. Singharaj, originally from Laos, brings a wealth of experience as a chef at La Senne in Sète, a restaurant known for its dedication to fresh, locally caught seafood.
A Two-Part Culinary Showdown
The championship will consist of two rounds designed to test both technical skill and creativity. In the preparatory round, chefs have 60 minutes to demonstrate their precision by preparing raw ingredients, including fish, which must be expertly cut into saku for the next round. Following this, chefs move to the creative round, where they’ll present a selection of 40 to 50 sushi pieces, including varieties such as nigiri, maki, uramaki, kazari-maki, kazari-sushi, vegetarian sushi, and sashimi.
The Setting: THE NIWAKI, Monaco’s Culinary Gem
THE NIWAKI, renowned for its refined approach to Japanese “couture cuisine,” is the event’s co-organizer and host. Head Chef Wagner Spadacio, a celebrated sushi master who has earned accolades as vice world champion and former French sushi champion, leads the team alongside Corporate Chef Shahar Dahan. Under their direction, THE NIWAKI has become a prominent destination for Japanese cuisine enthusiasts in Monaco, combining traditional techniques with contemporary elegance.
THE NIWAKI draws inspiration from the Japanese art of niwaki tree pruning, a practice rooted in patience, detail, and respect for nature. Just as the niwaki tree embodies the essence of Japan’s natural beauty, THE NIWAKI seeks to capture the essence of Japanese culinary heritage through every dish, making it an ideal setting for this prestigious sushi competition.