Konbanwa GR! Japanese Master Chef in Grand Rapids

Our hostess from the Grand Rapids Sister Cities International,
Jennifer Brown and Marcy Yanus

I have managed to make it to Cygnus 27 for two days in a row - first for the restaurant's famous Sunday Brunch and for last evening's very special "Konbanwa GR" dinner hosted by the Grand Rapids Sister Cities International and their respective Omihachiman committee members. A wonderful crowd of Sister Cities supporters, city power brokers and
even to the honorable Japanese Consul General of Detroit, Kuninori Matsuda.

The star of the evening, however, is Omihachiman's very own Master Chef, Akihiro Kotani. Chef Kotani leads the five restaurant brigade at the Hotel New Omi in Grand Rapid's Sister City of Omihachiman. With a skilled knife and a host of assistants, Chef Kotani produced a stellar line-up of very traditional Japanese dishes to educate and inspire the diners to the rich history and traditions of Japan.

The beautiful setting atop the Amway Grand

Scallop Sashimi at the reception

Sister City themed chopsticks

First Course: Sakizuke - silky Sesame Tofu with Tonburi, Radish, Greens, Wasabi & Dashi

Second Course: Otsukuri - Tuna, Yellowtail and Scallop Sahimi

Third Course: Yakimono - Magnolia Leaf Wrapped Salmon and
Japanese Beef with Onion, Green Onion, Mushroom and
Decorative Vegetables

Fourth Course: Awase Zakana - Toro and Chicken with Seasonings

Fifth Course: Gahan and Tomewan - Matsutake Mushroom Rice and Miso

Delicious Miso

Sixth Course:  Mizumono - Choujifu French-Toast style with Vanilla Ice Cream,
Warabi Mocha and Kinako

Joe and Susan Camp

Janet Korn and Gretchen Minhaar

Amy Young, Doug Small and Sally Zarafonetis

Master Chef Akihiro Kotani displaying his knife skills

Sake

Chef Otani and Hotel New Omi General Manager, Tsutomu Iwahara

Kimono display