Gifu Grand Hotel (located along Nagara River, Gifu City; President: Hajime Futagami) is celebrating Head Chef Yoshio Mori's award as a "Contemporary Master Craftsman" by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Mori received the honor on November 10, 2025. To mark this achievement and express gratitude to guests and supporters, the hotel will host two special culinary events.
For more information: https://www.gifugrandhotel.co.jp/news/204/
Event 1: "Contemporary Master Craftsman" Yoshio Mori - Kiwami (Ultimate) Kaiseki
This special kaiseki meal brings together the chef's life work through carefully selected auspicious ingredients and dishes created for distinguished guests, featuring Mino medicinal cuisine and award-winning creations. Each course will be accompanied by stories from the chef's culinary journey.
Date: February 23, 2026 (Monday Holiday) 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM (Reception from 5:00 PM)
Price: 30,000 yen per person
Capacity: Limited to 30 guests
Featured Ingredients:
- Seiryu Nagara Ayu (sweetfish)
- Hida Izumi fugu (blowfish)
- Kajika (sculpin)
- Kasuga sturgeon and caviar
- Golden shrimp
- Okumino ancient chicken
- Hida beef
- Spiny lobster, red sea bream, abalone, monkfish, shark fin, eel, conger eel
- Hida-Mino traditional vegetables
- Gifu Seiryu GAP certified agricultural products
- Gifu prefecture strawberries
- Hida apples
(Menu subject to change)
Event 2: "Contemporary Master Craftsman" Yoshio Mori - Gratitude Feast
The chef pours his gratitude into each dish for everyone who has supported him, from producers to all those he's encountered. This menu celebrates the Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival) season and welcomes spring with cuisine that engages all five senses.
Dates:
- February 28 (Saturday), March 1 (Sunday), March 2 (Monday) 2026: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- March 3 (Tuesday) 2026: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Price: 15,000 yen per person
Capacity: Limited to 50 guests per session
Menu Highlights:
- Colorful appetizers reminiscent of Hina dolls, featuring broad beans, bamboo shoots, and butterbur sprouts heralding spring's arrival
- White, green, red, and yellow colors against a black bowl: a fortuitous clear soup with abalone
- Hot pot with Mino medicinal cuisine featuring Hida beef and shark fin with traditional ingredients like ginseng and summer grass flower
- A gratitude dish titled "Bounty of Clear Streams" featuring delicacies from three rivers: Nagara, Kiso, and Ibi
Special Accommodation Package for Both Events
One night with breakfast: 8,800 yen
Japanese-style or Western-style room / 2 or more guests per room / Bathing tax of 150 yen separate
About "Contemporary Master Craftsman"
This award honors craftspeople with exceptional skills who are considered leaders in their field. Established in 1967, it aims to inspire those working in technical professions and aspiring young craftspeople while preserving and passing on excellent skills to future generations. In 2025, 142 individuals, including Mori, received the award.
Profile of Yoshio Mori
- 1984: Joined Gifu Grand Hotel Co., Ltd.
- 1998: 17th Culinary Skills Contest hosted by Gifu Prefecture Culinary Association - Gifu Governor's Prize (highest award)
- 2001: First-generation "Gifu no Aji" (Taste of Gifu) Master Chef (Master of Tradition) certified by Gifu Governor
- 2005: 25th All Japan Culinary Skills Improvement National Competition hosted by Japan All-Professional Culinary Association - Regional Cuisine Division, Mayor of Nagoya Award
- 2009: Outstanding Skills Award (Gifu no Meiko - Master Craftsman of Gifu) recognized by Gifu Governor
- 2009: Tokai Three Prefectures Culinary Competition Food Festival - Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Award (highest award)
- 2009: Japan All-Professional Culinary Association Merit Award
- 2009: Certified as All Technical Association Meister (Japanese Cuisine) by National Federation of Skills Associations
- 2015: Appointed as Japanese Cuisine Head Chef
- 2017: Certified as Mino Medicinal Cuisine Specialist (Mino Medicinal Cuisine Certification Committee)
- 2020: Appointed as Executive Head Chef
- 2021: Appointed as Executive Officer and Head Chef
For more details: https://www.gifugrandhotel.co.jp/news/194/
Reservations:
Gifu Grand Hotel Reservation Center
Phone: (058)233-1111
Online reservations also available through the hotel website
About Gifu Grand Hotel
A Relaxing Resort Hotel Along Nagara River
Mount Kinka rises before the hotel, with the crystal-clear Nagara River flowing nearby, where many people enjoy the natural scenery. Mount Kinka is beloved as a hiking course, and the view of Gifu Castle from the summit is magnificent. Seasonal landscapes and flavors await. Please enjoy a leisurely time in Gifu.
Official Website: https://www.gifugrandhotel.co.jp/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gifugrandhotel/
