Photo= Executive producer Murata (right) and Alain Ducasse, who will participate in the show

"WASHOKU-DO," or the World Japanese Cuisine Show, will be held in Kyoto City, mainly from January 30 to February 1, to spread to the world the appeal of "Washoku," or traditional Japanese cuisine, which was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Yoshihiro Murata, the chef at the restaurant Kikunoi in Higashiyama Ward, will serve as the executive producer and there will be a Washoku Symposium in collaboration with people associated with French cuisine, and a variety of tasting and experiential events.

The show has been organized for the first time by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Kyoto Prefectural Government, and others. Celebrated chef Alain Ducasse will visit Japan from France to participate as a panelist in the event, a symposium held on January 31 at Miyakomesse, Sakyo Ward. He will also interact with Japanese chefs in various events throughout the show.

In the symposium, Murata and Ducasse will discuss the tradition and innovation of Japanese cuisine. Also, Kiyomi Mikuni, a famous chef of French cuisine, will speak about "Bento," or boxed lunches. In the following subcommittee programs, cooks and specialists of culinary culture from both countries will deliver lectures on six themes, such as "Elucidating the Secret of Health" in Japanese cuisine, "Japanese Sake: Going Global" and others.

Other events include the final round of the Japanese cuisine competition by foreign cooks on January 30, which is not open to the public, and the tasting and sales event, "Kyoto Washoku Festival" from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on February 1, at the Gion Kobu Kabu-renjo theater in Higashiyama Ward.

Murata said, "It is important to hold this show in Kyoto, the city of culture. This will be a global-scale approach since we can impress the world media with the high quality of Japanese cuisine."

Detailed information, such as how to participate, is posted on the official website of "WASHOKU-DO."