Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 INSPIRED BY KIKKOMAN Chef Competition!
This year, our annual contest had a new twist! Chefs across the country competed for the chance to win amazing cash prizes and an unforgettable trip to Japan by creating their best trend-forward chicken dishes utilizing either Kikkoman® Soy Sauce or Flavor Foundation. The Chef’s Roll and Kikkoman judging panel were incredibly impressed by all of the outstanding entries and had the difficult task of evaluating each amazing chicken dish to determine the Grand Prize Winner who will receive the once in a lifetime trip to Japan with Kikkoman! The two Runner Up Winners will each receive $2,000 and the winner of the community voted Fan Favorite Winner will be awarded $1,000!
Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their recipes. And congratulations to our 3 winners who impressed the panel of judges with their culinary creativity and skill!
GRAND PRIZE WINNER & FAN FAVORITE WINNER
Will receive a culinary trip for two to Japan – includes airfare, hotel, and a curated itinerary, including a tour of the Kikkoman Noda Plant and Soy Sauce Museum!
As the recipient of the community voted prize, the Fan Favorite Winner will also receive $1,000 cash!
SOY SAUCE CATEGORY: Post Oak Tori Gyoza by Chef Thomas Dritsas
“Coal-fired chicken gyoza inspired by the intersection of Texas barbecue and Japanese dumpling craftsmanship. Smoked and koji-cured chicken is blended into a rich farce with roasted scallions, chicken jus, and Kikkoman Tamari Soy Sauce, then wrapped and pan-seared with a signature crispy Texas corn lace skirt. The dumplings are finished with smoked soy glaze, peach kosho, crispy chicken skin furikake, and served with a clear smoked chicken consomme highlighting layered applications of Kikkoman Soy Sauce products through curing, seasoning, glazing, and broth development. The dish explores smoke, fermentation, texture, and umami while combining live-fire Texas flavors with refined Japanese technique.”
RUNNER-UP WINNERS
Will receive $2,000 cash each!
FLAVOR FOUNDATIONS CATEGORY: Kikkoman Katsu Mole, Chicken Heart and Yakisoba Chimichanga by Chef Christian Padilla
“Mesquite grilled chicken heart, wok-fired noodles, yuzu kosho cabbage, black garlic Mexican crema, tonkatsu mole, Thai chile Salsa Macha. A crispy flour tortilla filled with yakisoba noodles and mesquite grilled chicken heart, with fermented yuzu kosho cabbage, black garlic crema, and a toasted chile blend to make dark tonkatsu mole finished with aromatic Thai chile salsa macha.”
SOY SAUCE CATEGORY: Hickory Smoked Sesame Chicken with a Sweet Sesame Espuma by Chef Alfred Wilhem
“Airline sesame chicken breast with tahini foam and soy pearls.”
This contest is subject to the official Terms and Conditions.
Images courtesy Chef’s Roll and Kikkoman.
