ICONIA Cooking Contest 2025 ICONIA Cooking Contest
2025
A contest where hotel chefs compete against each other
The final tournament will be held at Hotel New Akao The hotel chef
Skills contest
At Hotel New Akao
Final tournament held
Iconia Hospitality delivers high-quality food based on the belief that "food creates great memories of travel."
Hotel chefs across Japan strive to provide hospitality through food, with delicious menus made with local ingredients.
This contest allows chefs from each hotel to hone their cooking skills and improve their skills.
The event has been held with the aim of improving the diet of the entire group.
This year marks the fifth time the competition has been held, and 416 people entered in three categories: "Gourmet Burger," "Noodle Dishes," and "Desserts that go well with Japanese Kaiseki."
Six people from each genre who made it through the first and second rounds of the competition, a total of 18 people, are also icons of Hotel New Akao
They will compete in the finals, which will be held at the dance hall "Salon de Nishikirin." This contest was held with the aim of improving the food quality of the entire group by allowing chefs from each hotel to hone their cooking skills and compete to improve their level.
This year marks the fifth time the competition has been held, and 416 people entered in three categories: "Gourmet Burger," "Noodle Dishes," and "Desserts that go well with Japanese Kaiseki."
A total of 18 contestants, six from each genre who successfully made it through the first and second rounds of qualifying, will compete in the finals, which will be held at Hotel New Akao 's iconic dance hall, Salon de Kinrin.
Loyalty program "GoTo Pass" members
We are looking for 60 judges for the final competition! Loyalty Program
"GoTo Pass" members
We are looking for 60 judges for the final competition!
Iconia Hospitality 's loyalty program, "GoTo Pass," was launched in May 2025. To commemorate this year's launch, 60 members selected by the judges will be offered a special experience that allows them to experience Iconia Hospitality 's commitment to food firsthand.
*Eligibility requirements:
(1) Be a GoTo Pass member
(2) You agree to all terms and conditions of the application.
Highlights from the 2023 Finals
*MyStays Hotel Management will change its name to Iconia Hospitality on July 1, 2025.
Contest theme
The theme is"Gourmet burgers," "noodle dishes," and "desserts that go well with Japanese kaiseki meals"There are three genres:
1Gourmet Burger
2Noodle dishes
3Desserts that go well with Japanese kaiseki meals
Schedule leading up to the finals
Eligibility
Full-time or contract employees working as kitchen staff at Iconia Hospitality hotels (excluding executive chefs and head chefs)
Tournament Schedule
First qualifying round
The first round of qualifying will be held at each hotel.
Each of the three genres
Selecting a hotel representative
August 1st (Friday) to August 31st (Sunday)
Second qualifying round
The second qualifying round will be held in six areas across the country.
6 people from each genre (total 18 people)
Advance to the finals
- 1. Hokkaido and Tohoku area (16 facilities)
- 2. Kanto area (16 facilities)
- 3. Metropolitan and Joshinetsu areas (18 facilities)
- 4. Tokai and Chubu areas (18 facilities)
- 5. Kansai, Chugoku and Shikoku area (18 facilities)
- 6. Kyushu and Okinawa area (15 facilities)
total101facility
9/1 (Mon)- 10/31 (Fri)
Finals
A live kitchen will be set up inside the venue.
Cooking in front of the judges
12/6 (Sat)
Final Tournament Implementation Guidelines
ICONIA Cooking Contest 2025
- Date and time
- Saturday, December 6, 2025 10:00-17:15
- 10:00 ～ 12:15
- Genre 1: Gourmet Burger
- 12:30 ～ 14:45
- Genre 2: Noodle dishes
- 15:00 ～ 17:15
- Category 3: Desserts that go well with Japanese kaiseki meals
- Venue
- Hotel New Akao Salon de Kinrin (Ocean Wing, 15th floor)
1993-250 Atami, Atami-shi, Shizuoka 413-0033 Japan
Access
train
・Approximately 10 minutes by free shuttle bus from JR Atami Station
car
・Approximately 60 minutes from the Tomei Expressway "Atsugi IC" via the Odawara Atsugi Road and National Route 135
・Approximately 50 minutes from the Tomei Expressway "Numazu IC" or the Shin-Tomei Expressway "Nagaizumi-Numazu IC" via the Izu Jukan Expressway "Oba-Kannami IC"
Loyalty program "GoTo Pass" members
We are looking for 60 judges for the final competition! Loyalty Program
"GoTo Pass" members
We are looking for 60 judges for the final competition!
Iconia Hospitality 's loyalty program, "GoTo Pass," was launched in May 2025. To commemorate this year's launch, 60 members selected by the judges will be offered a special experience that allows them to experience Iconia Hospitality 's commitment to food firsthand.
*Eligibility requirements:
(1) Be a GoTo Pass member
(2) You agree to all terms and conditions of the application.
Iconia Hospitality offers a wide range of hotels, from specialized lodging hotels to full-service city hotels, resort hotels, and community-based hotels.
We operate a variety of business types, including community hotels and Hot springs inns, throughout Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa.
Based on the concept of "Let's take your life beyond your imagination," we also offer "GoTo Pass," a loyalty program (no joining or annual fees) that allows you to accumulate and use points based on the amount you spend at over 180 facilities nationwide.