Oct 8th 2017 O.A.
he 29th Japanese Food & Restaurant Expo
The 29th Japanese Food & Restaurant Expo was held at Pasadena Convention Center on Saturday, September 30th. This expo is held by the Mutual Trading for restaurant business individuals. This expo introduces the latest trend of Japanese food. 126 companies and 2,700 attendees participated this year making it the highest number in its history. Lately, Japanese food in the US have split into 2 categories of haute and popular food. Miyazaki Beef and Ultra-low Temperature Refrigeration Technology (ULTS), which makes it possible keeping the seafood quality for those haute Japanese restaurants. New products of the popular ramen, karaage and gyoza were also introduced. Mutual Trading concentrated on “curry” this year to widen the range of popular Japanese food. Seminars were held to share the knowledge of Japanese curry, too. At the Sake Pavilion, local distilled beverages, shochu, and local beers were served and introduced. At a restaurant, local sake that is worth more than $1,000 was introduced as well. Kitchen knives were also sold. The eating utensils, which are always popular and sells out. Attendees enjoyed the event.
The Senior Citizen Appreciation Day Luncheon
Sunday, September 24th was the Senior Citizen Appreciation Day Luncheon at the OC Buddhist Church in Anaheim, awarding seniors that are 80 years old and above. This event is annually held by the OC Japanese American Association to show appreciation by awarding the individuals that have contributed and built the local Japanese American community. About 300 people including the recipients that are all 80 years old and above, and their families as well as guests. President, Kimiko Fujita stated at her greeting, “Seeing the active seniors who are 80, 90 years old makes me want to continue to work hard and thrive.” The award ceremony was held for 17 seniors participating for the first time, and President Fujita handed each of them a letter of appreciation. Also, the two grantees of the Nerio Japanese Cultural Scholarship, who succeeds the Japanese culture, was announced. Scholarship winner, Naoki Atkins performed his Tsugaru Shamisen and the OC Doyo Kids Club sung nursery songs at the event as well.