From Japan to Reims: The Starry Tale of Chef Kazuyuki Tanaka

Chef Kazuyuki Tanaka is not the sort to rest on his laurels. Having spent five years honing his skills in Japan, he embarked on an adventure in France in 2003. While there, he rubbed shoulders with the big names, such as Philippe Mille (who has two Michelin stars) and Régis and Jacques Marcon, and set his sights on achieving a Michelin star of his own.

Things began to pick up speed in 2015. The chef opened his first restaurant, Racine, in Reims, and quickly rose to fame. Barely five months after opening his restaurant, Gault&Millau awarded him the title of ‘Young Talent.’ Then came his first Michelin star in 2017, and the opening of a second, more family-orientated restaurant named Doko Koko Bistro (Japanese for ‘Where? Here!’), with just 20 seats. He makes fresh French cuisine, inspired by Japanese techniques and complemented by Japanese vegetables and other ingredients. 

More information on chef Kazuyuki Tanaka can be found on his restaurant’s website and on his Instagram account.