Born 1958 in Hokkaido, Chef Yuji Wakiya gathered his experience working at a number of restaurants before becoming the head chef of Turandot Yusenkyo restaurant in 1997. In 2001, he opened his own restaurant, Wakiya Ichiemicharou in Tokyo’s Akasaka district. Chef Yuji was a participant in the Madrid Fusion 2005 event in Spain, where chefs chosen from around the world introduce the techniques and philosophies at the very forefront of the culinary arts. Chef Yuji is also an active contributor to society in the culinary field, being active in charity events and training for young chefs.