Our culinary tour to Osaka has been an incredibly fulfilling trip, in multiple dimensions.
The most obvious, of course, has been our gastronomic fulfillment. We have tasted the values, culture and history of Japan with our palates. The beautifully prepared and packaged meals exemplify Japan's pride in its culture and the hospitality and care they put into serving their friends and family.
Discovering a new country with my sister, parents, boyfriend, brother-in-law, and extended family (Gary and B-o-b) has also been a treat. By helping each other chase the colored flags through the massive crowds, sharing bites of our street foods, braving the subways, and
unintentionally playing charades with the locals as we tried to communicate has taught us new things about each other. For example, Gary climbed Mount Fuji in the dead of the night to catch the sunrise at its apex. (We'll that was the idea. Gary was actually approaching its peak when the sun made its appearance, but it was breathe-taking nonetheless.) B-o-b will continue his world tour with Antarctica being his next destination. B-o-b, can you bring me back a penguin, please? Ann, she's just wacky! When French Iron Chef Hiroyuki Sakai ca
me out to greet our party after we had lunch at his restaurant La Rochelle, Ann bursted out of her seat and shrieked. Then, she blurted out, "I love you, Iron Chef!" in Japanese! My sister - a groupie? She's hilarious! And Dale... He's the most loving and coolest husband ever. Yes, he smiled and hugged her still after she confessed her love for another man. (This actually took place during our post-tour extension to Tokyo. More details on that to come.) After close to four years of being with T, you'd think I'd know all his little quirks, right? Nope. T has been an undercover vending machine junkie. Throughout Japan, you'll find vending machines on every corner, dispensing a variety of hot and cold beverages, all enticingly packaged, and luring him to try just about all of its offerings (at every machine). What about mom and dad... Hmmm... I learned that they too have an inner foodie that appreciates delicacies other than the pho and broken rice restaurants of Tully Road. Given the opportunity, mom and dad would happily travel the world hand in hand.
Finally, meeting new friends from the JCCCNC staff, industry
delegation, and foodie delegation has made this trip extraordinary. While we may all work and live in the bay area, our paths would have never crossed had it not been for this trip. This vacation has truly exemplified what traveling is all about. And what better way is there to end our culinary tour in Osaka than to share one last meal!
Our last meal consisted of several courses that were served through out the evening. Many thank you speeches were made and gifts were presented to key members that made this trip a success. Diane Matsuda, in particular, was honored for her leading role within the culinary tour planning committee. Among her several gifts included a mile-long list of complimentary meals to all the restaurants that were involved with the tour, such as Scott Howard's, BIX, Picco, A19, Chez Pannisse, Betelnut, Hayes Street Grill, and others that I currently cannot recall.In addition to the never-ending courses, beer, sake, and cognac flowed freely. Max, from the
Japanese City Council became hilariously drunk. He made several s
lurred speeches and sang "I left my heart in San Francisco." I must also mention that Max poured T half a glass of cognac, who first politely refused. However, after being called a 'girly-boy' in Max's broken and drunken English, T had no choice but to drink up. Poor T became beet red and pretty sick later that night.Thank you everyone for an amazing vacation. I truly hope that we'll one day soon share another meal. Cheers and bon appetite!
