FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Chef Hiroyuki Kawamura, ANA

by Kimberly Inlander

Jun 1, 2017
Food

AIRLINE FOOD AND THE PHRASE “award-winning” are rarely used in conjunction with one another; however, that is certainly not the case with Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways. The airline’s catering division, ANA Catering Service Co., Ltd., is, in fact, a multihyphenate when it comes to awards and recognition.

As manager for general administration, Japan cuisine, for ANAC, Chef Hiroyuki Kawamura ensures the airline makes the most of the original flavors of each ingredient in the traditional washoku Japanese cuisine. The ANAC team selects seasonal ingredients to help passengers sense and experience the four seasons of Japan while in flight. Additionally, the airline was the first to serve kaiseki, a traditional multicourse Japanese cuisine, on board.

Kawamura began his career in the culinary industry, joining the Japanese Chef Association at 18 and working in various restaurants in the Chiba prefecture before joining ANAC 13 years later.

ANAC’s first facility, in Narita, opened in 1989, since then expanding to Haneda and Kawasaki, both in Tokyo, for a total of three catering facilities.

WHICH DESTINATIONS INSPIRED YOU, AND HOW HAS THAT INSPIRATION TRANSLATED INTO YOUR COOKING/MENUS?
Aged beef T-bone steak in Chicago, fresh uni in Los Angeles: Each was tasty; I would like to explore how to make the most of the original flavors of each food ingredient like that in Japanese cuisine.

WHOM DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR CULINARY HERO?
My culinary hero is Hiroshi Miyamura. He mastered the techniques and skills in an old Japanese restaurant in Kyoto and taught me about the basics of Japanese cuisine.

WHAT ONE PERSON MOST INFLUENCED YOUR COOKING STYLE, AND HOW?
It’s also Chef Miyamura. Apart from seasoning, the use of plates and dishes and visual presentation . . . he had the most influence on me.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD CITY?
I recommend Seijogakuen in Tokyo; there is a Japanese restaurant called Seijoukitayama, located in an old Western building. They serve vegetables from the Saga prefecture of Kyushu, fresh and tasty.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE NEXT BIG TREND ON THE FOOD SCENE WILL BE?
There will be more and more restaurants that serve washoku Japanese cuisine, in which they use local materials and keep the fresh flavors.

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Explore Excursions

#globility

Insta Feed
Daily
Sep 21, 2023

Soak in Philadelphia’s Charm with This Epicurean Lovers Weekend Getaway

If fabulous food and beverages are a must-have for any weekend getaway, then look no further than the City of Brotherly Love. Whether your palate has a penchant for vibrant Latin American fare or cozy French cuisine, whether you're an oenophile looking to swirl, sniff and sip your way around the globe or you’d rather sample farm-to-glass cocktails, Philly’s got it all this fall. (With the exception of Bolo, which is a short taxi or Uber ride away and definitely worth the trip, the rest of these spots are all within walking distance of each other.)

Why Buy Trip Cancellation Insurance?

Don’t risk losing all the money you’ve spent if you must cancel your trip at the last minute. Allianz Travel Insurance can give you:

Daily
Sep 21, 2023

These Hotels Have Some of the Best Room Views in the World

From Santoríni to Dubai to New York, some hotels just have that “it” factor that draws visitors far and wide. For some hotels it’s their proximity to popular landmarks and attractions, for others it’s their amenities. But these hotels have something few can claim: a true room with a view.

Daily
Sep 21, 2023

Great Bring-Alongs for Fall Adventure Travel

Planning your next autumn adventure? Whether that entails kayaking a remote mountain river or a walking tour of your favorite European capital, here are some great travel finds to bring along:

Greece: A Life-Changing Experience

Experience the life-changing destination of Greece by exploring its island gems in the Ionian Sea. Scattered off the western coastline of Central Greece, to the south of Peloponnese, the Ionian Islands are an island group comprising large and small islands.

Daily
Sep 20, 2023

The Chloe Nashville to Bring a Southern “Joie de Vivre” to Nashville in 2024

Two historic Craftsman-style homes connected by a newly built third extension will take on a new life as the 19-room The Chloe Nashville in 2024. Developed to aesthetically harmonize with both Nashville’s past and future under the direction of Nashville-based Remick Architecture, guestrooms range from 400 to 817 square feet and start at $375 per night, with its top suite running $950 per night. The architecture and interiors maintain the original homes’ residential feel while incorporating modern and traditional design elements reflective of Nashville’s character and history.

eFlyer Deals
Sep 20, 2023

Save on These Noise-Reducing Earphones for Fall and Winter Travel

A must for travelers seeking quiet on a plane or any noisy atmosphere, QuietOn’s newest launch, QuietOn 3.1, launches a limited-time sale on the product for last-minute trips this fall and winter. Originally selling for $289, QuietOn 3.1 is on sale for $50 off at $239 this Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

The Ultimate Itinerary in The Islands of Tahiti

The Islands of Tahiti are among the most beautiful and sought-after vacation destinations in the world. The endless images of overwater bungalows with Bora Bora’s majestic peak towering over waters of every shade of blue have an intrinsic pull. But with 118 islands and atolls to explore, there is so much more to this spectacular region of the Pacific.

eFlyer Deals
Sep 20, 2023

Solo Travelers Enjoy Single Supplement Waiver on Select Star Clippers Sailings

With more travelers opting to book solo trips, Star Clippers invites solo travelers to embark on one of its tall-ship sailing itineraries with a special offer. Solo travelers who book by Sept. 30 will receive waived single supplements on a variety of itineraries through 2025.