Hajime Yoneda

Chef-Owner, Hajime, (Osaka, Japan)

After graduating from university and working as an engineer, Hajime Yoneda transitioned into the culinary world. Guided by a vision to contribute to the future of humanity through gastronomy, he has been active across diverse fields. In the restaurant industry, he achieved three Michelin stars in record time and has received global recognition, including rankings in Foodie Top 100 Restaurants, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, OAD Top 30 Japanese Restaurants, The Best Chef Awards, and 100 Chefs au Monde.

He received the Tsujii Shizuo Culinary Culture Award (Professional Category) and the KINDAI Leader Award in Culture and Arts in 2016, followed by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ Culinary Masters Award in 2017. He also serves as a member of JAXA’s SPACE FOODSPHERE and as an advisor to Sony AI. In 2021, he was named Chef of the Year by Gault & Millau. He is a board member of several organizations and a director at Gastromedica Inc. In 2025, he was recognized as a Contemporary Master Craftsman. (Instagram: @hajimeyoneda)