02 Food and Community: Cookers Jun Kondo

Introducing the guests and themes

theme

As a food planner, Kondo shared with us the joy of food through community that she pursues, as well as tips and methods for pairing food at home.

Disliked Foods

None. I think that not having anything I dislike is a good thing. I like to try things I've never eaten before, and recently I had some delicious insects.

Guest Biography

Born in Niigata and raised in Tokyo. After graduating from university, he worked in the kitchen at a restaurant before moving to an IT company. After working as a web planner, he went independent and founded Cookers, where he is involved in various food-related activities.

What is your goal and what are you working on now?

Since going independent, she has been doing everything with the goal of "enriching the community through food" as her core. She teaches cooking classes to raise the standard of meals at home, caters for company social gatherings, starts up a company cafeteria, and takes photos for cooking magazines.

The joy of food through community

What made you get hooked?

While cooking as a hobby for friends, when he was working as a businessman, he approached his boss and started providing food at company social gatherings and other events. He experienced how changing the quality of food can change the quality of communication, and wanted to spread this kind of opportunity to the world.

What's the most memorable happy moment you've experienced since getting hooked?

I feel so happy when students in my cooking classes, which have themes such as "recreating professional flavors at home," tell me how the food they cooked for a home party or for their family brought a smile to everyone's face.

What failures have you experienced or lessons learned since getting hooked?

When making braised pork, I thought it would taste better if I simmered it for a longer time, so I simmered it for 5 hours instead of the 2 or 3 hours specified in the recipe.The meat fell apart and it didn't taste as good, and I was disappointed because it was all so much work.

It's important to put in the effort, but it's better to find out what the key points are and put the effort into something meaningful.

The most important points for enjoying the course: How to get started and advice

Putting a little extra effort into home cooking can improve the quality of your food and increase smiles and communication. If something good happens, try buying some sashimi at Tsukiji, for example, and take a little extra care to make it more fun.

Recommended information content

A good cookbook has recipes written "between the lines," so if you choose a book from that perspective, you will find a good cookbook. For example, instead of just "browning," you should be more specific about what color the food should be, what kind of smells and sounds it should make, etc.

Recommended shops and events

ANTCICADA (Asakusabashi , Tokyo)

It was an interesting experience to experience a new cuisine that combined museum and food at a restaurant that specializes in insects. The insects were delicious.

Guests' unique way of enjoying alcohol

What's your favorite drink?

They drink anything with their food, including beer, sake, and wine.

I often drink Shichida sake because the liquor store near my neighborhood Kuhonbutsu Station, Asahiya Sake Shop , has a wide selection of Shichida sake . Shichida sake goes well with spicy food when mixed with soda, so I often drink it with a squeeze of lime.

Tips and tricks for enjoying pairing

The key is to match the aroma of the food and the alcohol.

For example, dishes made with sweet coconut milk go better with sweeter alcohol than lighter alcohol. Wine can be a bad match because of its strong acidity, but sake is a good choice because it doesn't have a strong flavor.

What pairings do you recommend?

I'm addicted to sake and soda because it goes really well with tacos.

Failed pairing

Western-style cuisine (tomato sauce, white sauce, meaty dishes, etc.) and clean, refreshing sake (delicate, expensive dishes such as Daiginjo) don't go well together. It's a shame that the sake is overpowered by the food.

Recommended restaurants where you can enjoy pairing

I recommend Fushikino in Kagurazaka because you can enjoy pairings with Japanese sake. It's a special restaurant that not only serves cold sake, but also has a "warmer" so you can enjoy pairing each dish with hot sake.

Guest contact and service information

Cookers (catering businesses, etc.)

Website: http://www.cookers.jp/

ChefCreate (A cooking class that teaches you the professional cooking skills that would take 10 years in just 4 months)

HP: https://chefcreate.jp/

Graphic Curry (Curry mail order service)

Scheduled to start in April

Things to keep in mind when enjoying guest services

We hope you will enjoy using the dishes and graphics you have learned in cooking classes with your friends and family in the community.

A message to enrich your life by enjoying food and drinks