The battle begins, which city offers the best culinary experience

The city of Osaka welcomed the SF delegation with a formal dinner reception at the Taiko-en, a banquet facility set in the middle of a beautiful Japanese maple garden, on our second night in Japan. As we crossed the zen rock pathway, over the lily pond, and through the garden to the banquet courtyard, we were gifted with a one of a kind anniversary Hapi coat to wear to identify our delegation. In attendance were U.S. Consulate General of Osaka-Kobe Daniel Russel, who spoke perfect Japanese, the City Council President, the Mayor's wife, members of the Osaka International Trade Fair Commission, culinary ambassadors, official language interpreters and about 150 guests from both sides of the Pacific. During the welcome speeches, Mark Chandler, Director of International Trade from the city and county of SF and the Osaka Council President politely argued about which of the two cities offered a better gastronomic experience. Diplomatic talks led them to renew their commitment of the Sister City relationship for another 50 years in an attempt to settle the debate...so the battle continues.

Osaka offered us an elaborate food buffet with more than 100 different food choices and all you can drink Soporo beer, wines and tea. Just to name a few, the buffet included several different lobster creations, prawns the size of fish, rare mushroom soup, Kobe beef and all the exotic sushi you can imagine. The dessert selections were just as beautifully presented and delicious. While eating six desserts that we picked up on the same plate to share, Ha and I thought about how wonderful it would be if you were here to help us finish them. My stomach was very heavy before the dinner reception from the five meals I enjoyed before on the day, but I had no choice but to eat well again to honor the commitment set forth in the bylaws of this trip...In Japan, do what the Japanese do, eat. It is rude to refuse food for any reason in Japan.

Hopefully, soon, the web connection will allow me to upload photos of the wonderful people I've met, such as Patricia Unterman, SF Examiner food critic, owner of Hayes Street Grill, book author of a SF culinary publication and trip culinary ambassador, Scott Howard, chef and owner of Scott Howard restaurant and chef ambassador, Bruce Hill, chef and owner of Bix and Picco restaurants and chef ambassador and Jenna Reiko Zimmerman, producer of the Food Network, my favorite channel. Jenna is 23 years old, lives in New York and became the Network's show producer right after college. How did she get that gig? She was introduced to network's executives by her mother, Jan Yanehiro, Executive Producer of Pacific Fusion TV and one of the first Asian Americans professionals in the U.S. media. Jenna is extremely charismatic and talented. She and her mother have a special connection of sharing their love for food with the international market. I was humbled by her presence but envied her job as my sister and I tried to convinced her to give us our own show. In compromise, Jenna graciously offered us to visit her on set in New York to experience the behind the scenes production.

In about two and a half hours, at 6 AM Osaka time, we will begin fist activity for the day, a tour of Chuo Ichiba, a wholesale fish market, a lively auction like no other. Day three will also include a Japanese culinary lecture, tour of the Kintetsu Department store, in which I am a group leader, lunch in Osaka Izakaya Watami and Kuidaore food tour, where each group will sample three restaurant types. The day will end with us at the Mayor's mansion for a second official culinary reception.