Renowned Japanese cuisine chef and restauranteur Darshan Munidasa is appointed as a Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador by the Government of Japan.
Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries awards this title to professionals engaged in Japanese cuisine capable of providing appropriate consultation on the dissemination of Japanese food and dietary culture.
The Sri Lankan born Dharshan Munidasa has contributed towards the introduction and dissemination of Japanese cuisine in Sri Lanka since 1995, when he opened his Japanese restaurant Nihonbashi in Colombo.
Since then Nihonbashi outlets have been opened in different parts of Sri Lanka and finally, last year Nihonbashi Blue was opened at The Marina @ CROSSROADS Maldives.
Dharshan Munidasa has also promoted Japanese cuisine via Japanese festivals in Sri Lanka, and via a TV show "Culinary Journeys with Dharshan", of which some episodes were filmed in Japan.
He also makes sure Japanese cuisine philosophies are preserved in his other restaurant chain Ministry of Crab, with the use of Japanese knife skills, and the use of soy sauce and dashi. Ministry of Crab outlets are also expanded worldwide, including Shanghai, Manila, Mumbai, Bangkok and also The Marine @ CROSSROADS Maldives.
Dharshan, the first South Asian Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador expressed his honor in receiving the recognition.
"I am humbled to receive this title not only for myself but also on behalf of my teams at Nihonbashi and Ministry of Crab who understand the philosophies of Japanese cuisine and continue to create high quality, authentic dishes by employing these philosophies daily," said Dharshan Munidasa.
