Established in 2022, the Niigata Gastronomy Award is built upon a philosophy of local gastronomy—the expression of a region’s climate, topography, history, and culture through its cuisine.
The award’s most significant feature is that its evaluation extends far beyond mere flavor. With the continuation of culinary traditions, regional collaboration, and sustainability as its core evaluation criteria, the award spreads awareness of the entire region’s appeal—including restaurants, accommodation facilities, and local specialties—with a global audience.
In 2024, the award highlighted 30 chefs representing the next generation through the Young Chef Category. While respecting tradition, these chefs are reinventing regional food culture through their own unique sensibilities. Enjoy a new gastronomical experience unique to Niigata, where you can savor the stories behind each dish.

SAISON, situated on Nishibori-dori in Niigata City, stands as a symbol of Niigata’s next generation of culinary excellence, with its chef being awarded the Grand Prize in the Niigata Gastronomy Awards’ U-35 Young Chef Category.
Chef Rei Middlemiss has experience in state-of-the-art modern French cuisine at renowned establishments in Paris and New York. He opened the restaurant in 2023 alongside his childhood friend and service manager, Yosuke Saito. The interior, featuring their own handmade wood-fired oven, offers a cozy atmosphere where the kitchen’s vitality meets the gentle warmth of the fire.
The menu is limited to a single nine-course meal that celebrates Niigata’s bountiful ingredients. Guests can enjoy creative dishes that masterfully use wood-firing to achieve a diverse range of temperatures and textures. Experience Niigata’s gastronomy crafted by young talent and complemented by Mr. Saito’s exquisite drink pairings. SAISON is a refined establishment with allure and lingering charm, inviting you back to discover something new every season.

Located in a beautiful rural part of Tsubame City, Japanese Restaurant Uoyuki is a destination where you can enjoy high-end Japanese cuisine in a sophisticated, modern setting.
Owner and chef Yuuta Watanabe, winner of the Grand Prize in the Niigata Gastronomy Awards’ O-35 Young Chef Category, is a master of his craft, having refined his skills at a long-standing ryotei (a traditional restaurant) in Kyoto and a renowned restaurant in Niigata. Featuring a refined, modern interior, the restaurant is warm and welcoming, offering private rooms and counter seating where you can watch the chef’s artistry up close.
Taking center stage is carefully selected local ingredients, such as traditional vegetables from the region and Uonuma-raised soft-shelled turtle. Standout dishes like the deep-fried soft-shelled turtle marinated in the Niigata specialty kanzuri (a traditional fermented chili paste made from chili peppers, koji (rice malt), yuzu (a kind of citrus), and salt), blend tradition and creativity—offering a taste you can only experience here.
Savor the height of Niigata’s gastronomy alongside a curated selection of local sake.

Discover Niigata’s best in food and accommodation with the winners of the highest honors at the Niigata Gastronomy Awards.
The Grand Prize in the Specialty Products Category was awarded to Kanzuri, a traditional fermented seasoning from Myoko City. Its signature mild spiciness and rich umami are developed through a unique process called yuki-sarashi where chili peppers are laid out on the snow. This one-of-a-kind seasoning pairs beautifully with almost any dish and makes for a great souvenir.
The Grand Prize in the Ryokan and Hotel Category went to Snow Peak FIELD SUITE SPA HEADQUARTERS, a resort complex created by the Japanese outdoor brand Snow Peak. The complex offers hot springs overlooking the vast natural scenery and cuisine expertly crafted with local seasonal flavors. Spend a luxurious moment surrounded by breathtaking views where you can fully immerse yourself in Niigata’s natural environment.