Panel

Quality Awards Jury:
Olive Oil Analysis Experts​

The judging team for the JOOTA AWARDS Quality Award is composed of tasters and panel leaders who have been selected as top experts from Japan and overseas to perform quality evaluation and sensory analysis of olive oil.
In major olive oil producing countries such as Europe and the Mediterranean countries, olive oil specialists called “tasters” (and the panel) certified by governments and public organizations are responsible for sensory analysis of olive oil in order to protect the quality of olive oil.
The Japan Olive Oil Taster Association has true experts who have been trained in accordance with the formal regulations of its international standards of IOC and is working to improve the quality of olive oil and contribute to the development of the olive culture and industry.
As a specialist institution that evaluates olive oil quality to the world standard in Japan, we maintain a neutral and impartial position and build a network with institutions, organizations and experts around the world.
Because our association is an organization based on such activities, top experts in quality evaluation gather to achieve high-level judgement.

*Judges for the 2020 edition

Emmanuel Salivaras

GREECE

Himeyo Nagatomo

JAPAN

Ehud Soriano

ISRAEL

Franco Pasquini

ITALY

Esperanza Macarena Díaz Ramos

SPAIN

Raffaele Disanti

ITALY

Akiko Iguchi

JAPAN

Chisato Kurihara

JAPAN

Hiroki Ishida

JAPAN

*Judges for the 2021 edition

Himeyo Nagatomo

Raffaele Disanti

Akiko Iguchi

Sekiyo Mizuno

Kazuma Yoshimura

Asami Yoshida

Chigusa Nishiyama

Kanji Aoyagi

Chisato Kurihara

Special Awards Jury:
Industry Professionals

The JOOTA Awards special prize is judged by top industry professionals, including chefs and distributors. These experts select the best extra virgin olive oil from each perspective and give special prizes. Through this selection, we will create a deeper value in the Japanese market for extra virgin olive oil and the people that make it great.

 

Chef's Awards Judges

Celebrated Top Chefs

*Judges for the 2020 edition

Masayuki Judai

Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo - Executive Chef

Yohei Abe

InterContinental Tokyo Bay - Italian Dining Zillion Chef

Takashi Kawashima

La Rochelle - Executive Chef

Kotaro Hasegawa

KOTARO Hasegawa DOWNTOWN CUISINE - Owner Chef

Takashi Tamura

Tsukiji Tamura - Third Generation Chef

Kazutaka Marumoto

Ore-no Italian - Chef

Satoshi Okada

Pizzeria e Trattoria AD'ACCHIO - Chef

Ayumi Akagi

RESTAURANT SANT PAU - Chef

Kazutoyo Inoue

szechwan restaurant CHEN - Chef

*Judges for the 2021 edition

Yohei Abe

Chef – Italian Dining Zillion 
InterContinental Tokyo Bay 

Fumihiko Sano

Regional Executive Chef
SHONAN and HAKONE and IZU area 
PRINCEHOTELS, INC 

Yoichi Saito

Chef – Cuisine “EST” / Dining&Bar “OVEST” 
HOTEL METROPOLITAN

Stefano Dal Moro

Executive Chef
ANTICA OSTERIA DEL PONTE 

Naoto Kosaka

Chef

iL CHIANTI BEACHE

Hideki Nakajima

Chief Chef

AKASAKA NINOMAE

Department Store Buyers' Awards Judges

There are High quality, Elegance, Luxury, Tradition…
From the most famous and largest Japanese Department Stores.

*Judges for the 2020 edition

Yuji Yamashita

TAKASHIMAYA CO., LTD.
 MERCHANDISING
HEADQUARTERS
FOODS DIVISION
MERCHANDISER

Ryu Watanabe

Isetan Mitsukoshi Ltd.
Merchandising Headquarters Promotion Merchandising
Division Foods 
Buyer

Luxury Supermarket Buyers' Awards Judges

Top Elite buyers of Luxury Supermarkets that handle high-quality products.

*Judges for the 2021 edition

Takamasa Oono

President

OONOYA

Takeshi Ichikawa

General Manager

KALDI

Shingo Hiraide

Buyer

QUEEN’S ISETAN

Takuya Shimonishi

President

KEIHOKU Super

Tadayuki Iwasaki

Manager&Buyer – Merchandise Division
Shinanoya Shokuhin

Masashi Miyajima

Chief Buyer

DEAN&DELUCA 

Enter the competition today!

Your olive oil is one-of-a-kind, and it’s time to show that to the world! Submit your product to the JOOTA AWARDS and start your journey towards conquering the market of Japan.

 
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