Kazushi Iwane

Kubara Honke Group Co., Ltd. (Fukuoka, Japan)

Kazushi Iwane is an experienced Japanese chef with over three decades of culinary expertise. Born in 1973, he began his journey at prestigious traditional restaurants in Saitama before studying at one of Japan's most prominent traditional culinary academies. Demonstrating exceptional leadership, he became Executive Chef at Totenko’s Kaientei at 35, and later held the prestigious role of Executive Chef at The Westin Tokyo’s Japanese restaurant, "Mai". Renowned globally, Chef Iwane has led high-profile international promotions across the UAE, Taiwan, China, the Maldives, and Thailand. Anchored in the philosophy of "温故知新" (Onko-Chishin: learning from the past to innovate), his culinary style harmonizes strict Japanese traditions with bold, modern innovations. He excels at orchestrating holistic dining experiences—meticulously selecting seasonal ingredients, matching tableware, and adjusting to guests' preferences. His ultimate vision is to champion and evolve the art of Japanese cuisine globally through education, consulting, and exquisite dining concepts.