Vladimir Pak holds the exclusive rights to host the Nordic Sushi Cup in collaboration with the World Sushi Skill Institute (WSSI). The intensive 3 day competition will be held on the 18th–20th of March 2025 at the UMAMI Arena trade fair in Lillestrøm , Norway. Elite judges will choose the winner who qualifies for the World Cup in Japan 2025.

Messeveien 8, 2004 Lillestrøm, Norway

Location

UMAMI Arena, NOVA Spektrum, Lillestrøm

Venue

18th–20th of March 2025

Date of Competition

COMPETITION

With the finest raw materials and support from our partners, the competition will be world-class. Through the Zen discipline, which is the purest sushi style in the world, a maximum of 12 participants will compete in what is the only sushi competition in the Nordics, which qualifies the winner to the World Championship in Japan.

Competition Participation & Qualification Requirements

Participation Fee: The participation fee will be shared with interested competitors via email
Expenses: Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation.
Eligibility: Minimum of five years' experience as a sushi chef and certification from the World Sushi Skills Institute required.
Certification Options:
-If you do not have the required certification, you can obtain it for free by attending the Masterclass on March 18 hosted by the World Sushi Skills Institute.
-If you already have the certification, you can upgrade to the Black Belt certification at no additional cost.

On the 19th and 20th of March, over two intensive days, we will witness a series of competitions of the highest class, featuring participants from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. The winner will be flown to Japan to compete for the title of world champion.

Main Judge

Mr. Gentaro Yamazaki

Mr. Gentaro Yamazaki graduated from culinary school and dedicated himself to mastering the art of sushi. Over the course of a decade, he honed his skills and deepened his knowledge through rigorous training. Seeking a broader perspective, he spent two years in the United States, where he explored the fusion of ingredients and creativity in New York and witnessed the global appreciation for sushi in Washington, D.C. This experience opened his eyes to the immense potential of Japanese cuisine on the international stage.

Upon returning to Japan, Mr. Yamazaki established his own sushi restaurant in Tokyo, where he embraced both the joys and challenges of restaurant management. Over time, his passion for sharing sushi culture grew, leading him to focus on training the next generation of sushi chefs. In 2015, he moved to Geneva, collaborating with the Japanese government and local schools to promote sushi culture. Recognized as a WSSI-certified instructor in 2023, he now conducts seminars worldwide, sharing his expertise and passion for authentic sushi craftsmanship.

Black Belt Certification - Open to everyone

NOW CLOSED
The Black Belt certification is available independently of the competition. On March 18th, we will be hosting a certification session open to everyone.

The cost for non-competitors will be provided to those interested via email
To obtain the Black Belt certification, you must already hold a certification from the World Sushi Skills Institute.
Please note that the Black Belt is not required to compete. However, if you are participating in the competition, you can obtain it at no additional cost if you already have the certification from World Sushi Skills Institute.

Let us know if you have any questions—we look forward to welcoming you!

WHO CAN APPLY -NOW CLOSED

THIS IS NOW CLOES. Anyone who is a resident of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, or Finland is welcome to compete, provided you are not of Japanese nationality. You must have at least five years of experience as a sushi chef and a certification from the World Sushi Skills Institute. Those who do not hold this certification can obtain it by attending a Masterclass organized by the World Sushi Skills Institute on the 18th of March.

To secure one of the 12 available seats, you need to submit a photo of a plate showcasing traditional Tokyo-style sushi, a photo of yourself in uniform, and your CV. Everyone who applies through the link below will receive a follow-up email requesting these three items. Best of luck—we hope to welcome you to Nordic Sushi Cup 2025!

RULES

The Nordic Sushi Cup follows a rigorous set of rules designed to uphold the highest standards of sushi craftsmanship, mirroring those of the prestigious World Sushi Cup. Open to skilled non-Japanese sushi chefs with at least five years of experience, the competition consists of two main stages: a qualifying round focused on traditional Edomae sushi techniques and a final round highlighting creative sushi artistry. Judged on precision, creativity, presentation, and taste, the Nordic Sushi Cup provides a platform for chefs to showcase their mastery and innovation in the art of sushi, celebrating the blend of tradition and modernity in this iconic culinary craft.

The complete set of rules will be postet very soon.

WINNER

The winner of the Nordic Sushi Cup will earn the incredible opportunity to represent the region at the prestigious World Sushi Cup Championship in Japan in 2025. As part of this honor, the winner's flight and hotel accommodations will be fully covered, allowing them to focus on showcasing their skills on the global stage. This is a chance to compete among the world's best sushi chefs and bring Nordic sushi artistry to international acclaim.

HOTEL & TRAVEL

The Nordic Sushi Cup will be held in Lillestrøm, a charming town just outside Oslo. Competitors are responsible for covering their own travel and accommodation expenses. For those flying in, Gardermoen is the nearest airport, and you can either stay in Oslo and take a convenient train to Lillestrøm each day or stay locally for added convenience.

We have pre-booked a limited number of rooms at Thon Hotel Arena in Lillestrøm, which can be reserved through us. This hotel is next to where the competition is held, and this offer is optional but provides a comfortable and hassle-free option for participants wishing to stay close to the competition venue.

Option 1

4 Nights

Date: March 17th to March 21st (4 nights)
Room: Standard double room, maks 2 people
Breakfast included

Option 2

2 Nights

Date: March 18th to March 20th (2 nights)
Room: Standard double room, maks 2 people
Breakfast included

Link to the hotel: Thon Hotel Arena

Hotel address: Nesgaten 1, 2004 Lillestrøm, Norway

Airport: Oslo Airport (OSL), Edvard Munchs veg, Gardermoen

Trainstation: Lillestrøm Station

Competition arena: Nova Spektrum - UMAMI, Messeveien 6, 2004 Lillestrøm, Norway

VLADIMIR PAK

MICHELIN STAR & WORLD CHAMPION

Pak became world champion in 2017 when he won both categories in the World Sushi Cup, collecting more points in the competition than anyone before had achieved. At his restaurant in Oslo, “Omakase by Vladimir Pak” he received a Michelinstjerne in 2020.

Through his prestigious work, Pak was appointed “Goodwill Ambassador for the dissemination of Japanese cuisine” at the Japanese Embassy in Oslo in 2021 and is a chef at the “World Sushi Skills Institute”.

Through the years, a solid group of sushi talents has grown around the Nordic region. Through Pak’s commitment to Nordic Sushi Cup they will have the opportunity to become world champions.

With the finest raw materials and support from our partners, the competition will be world-class. Through the Zen discipline, which is the purest sushi style in the world, between 12-20 participants will compete in what is the only sushi competition in the Nordics, which qualifies the winner to the World Championship in Japan.

Participants must have at least five years of experience as a sushi chef and a certification from the World Sushi Skills Institute. Those who do not hold the certification can attend by completing a Masterclass that is organized through the World Sushi Skills Institute on the 18th of March.

19th and 20th of March, over two intensive days we will witness a series of competitions of the highest class with participants from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. The winner will fly to Japan and compete to become the world champion.