TOKYO, April 6, 2018- Pasona Group Inc. will open the creative oriental restaurant "HELLO KITTY SMILE" on Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture on Friday, April 27.
According to the "Kuniumi" mythology of the birth of Japan, which appears in the ancient chronicles of the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, the island of Awaji, in Hyogo Prefecture, is the first of the Japanese islands to be born. Once known as "Miketsukuni" (land of divine offerings), Awaji Island has a history of presenting seafood and other delicacies to the Imperial Court.
HELLO KITTY SMILE will be opening on Awaji Island, the place that is the origin of Japanese cuisine and a treasure trove of food, as a creative oriental restaurant headed by Chief Producer, Haruyuki YAMASHITA, and Head Chef, CHUNG Chik-Wing.
In the main building, with organic as the key theme, luxurious, creative Oriental dishes will be served, made using high-quality ingredients, such as domestically-produced shark fin and abalone, fused with mainly Japanese and traditional Chinese influences. In the annex, in addition to the freshest seafood grill, unique to Awaji Island surrounded by sea, and yum cha, there will also be high tea, where you can enjoy 50 varieties of tea from Japan and overseas, and pinchos, and you can enjoy a relaxing time as you look out at the scenery of the island.
Chief Producer, Haruyuki YAMASHITA
Born in Kobe in 1969. Graduated from Osaka University of Arts. Including HAL YAMASHITA in Tokyo, he opened ten restaurants in Japan and overseas. In addition to being involved in broad range of activities, such as acting as government advisor on international foodstuffs, import and export, and giving instruction and lectures around the country. Participated in Hyogo Prefecture's Hyogo "Food" project.
・2010 World Best Chef, World Gourmet Summit
・2010 Appointed special advisor to World Food Programme
・2012 Master Chef representing Japan, World Gourmet Summit
・2015 "Best New Restaurant" House of Stars (2 stars), Singapore "G Restaurant AWARD 2015"
・2016 Chosen as Master Chef representing Japan two years in a row at Singapore Gourmet JAPAN and awarded House of Stars
Head Chef, CHUNG Chik-Wing
Born in Hong Kong. In 1970, became sous chef at Lisboa Hotel, Macao. Came to Japan in 1973 and served as Chinese head chef at Lions Hotel Osaka. Served as head chef on the music and gourmet boat "Concerto" from 1999.
・2003 Certified as "Chinese Culinary Master Chef", Chinese Restaurant Association of People's Republic of China
・2006 Best of the Best Culinary Awards- Japan representative judge, Hong Kong Best of the Best Culinary Awards
・2007 Awarded Japanese Ambassador to China Prize
・2009 Awarded Medal of Asia Pacific International Master Chef
* Chinese Master Chef: The highest chef ranking, awarded in recognition of years of service working as a chef and contribution in the Chinese culinary industry
* Medal of Asia Pacific International Master Chef: A title awarded only to certain Chinese culinary master chefs in recognition of distinguished service
Reference: Pasona Group’s Activities on Awaji Island
The Pasona group has worked alongside local governments and local officials on Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture since 2008 on its own regional revitalization project through attracting a diverse pool of talented people to the island. In 2008, we launched “Challenge Farm” to develop agriculture talents. Since 2011, we began proposing a new way of working involving “half-agriculture, half-art” in which young artists and musicians work as both farmers and artists. In this manner, we have been implementing human resource development programs that combine the diverse values of youth on Awaji Island. To date, some 300 youth have taken part.
In 2012, we opened Nojima Scuola, a tourist facility located in an old elementary school building, which is used by locals and visitors alike. Today, we operate Miele, a café which serves original dishes made with honey from Awaji Island, and Awaji Craft Circus, which acts as a seaside market and restaurant serving locally grown foods and selling locally made handcrafts as part of our regional revitalization project.
From 2015, the Company launched Awaji Art Circus showcasing the works of arts from 18 performers around the world on Awaji Island. In 2016, conducted UNDOKAI World Cup, a global sports festival to promote local revitalization, health and tradition (UNDOKAI is a traditional Japanese sports festival). We are conducting many events to communicate the allures of Awaji Island as well as to revitalize the local economy.
In July 2017, the Company opened an immersive entertainment anime park called Nijigen no Mori in Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Island Park, fusing two-dimensional contents like animation and comics, etc. with new media art and nature.
The Pasona group is carrying out its regional revitalization project by attracting human resources to Awaji Island to contribute to job creation and economic development locally through efforts to attract large numbers of people inside and outside the island, and develop successful businesses.
▲Nojima Scuola |
 ▲Awaji Art Circus |
▲Nijigen no Mori |
▲Miele |
About Pasona
Ever since its foundation in 1976, Pasona Group’s corporate philosophy, “Providing Solutions to Society’s Problems” has not changed. The Company has aimed to build a better society and to create an infrastructure that provides each individual the opportunity to work and the freedom to choose the job of his or her choice.
Pasona provides HR Solutions worldwide (Temporary staffing, Contracting, HR Consulting, Place & Search, Global Sourcing, Outplacement, Outsourcing), and Life Solutions such as services in the childcare and elderly care area. The Company is also engaged in promoting local revitalization.
Inquiries
PR Department, Pasona Group Inc.
+81-3-6734-0215
