Chef Masaharu Morimoto to be Grand Marshal of Japan Parade

Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto will be the Grand Marshal of Japan Parade 2025 in New York City this May 10th. Chef Morimoto has previously appeared on FOX series MasterChef with Gordon Ramsay as a special guest chef (pictured above).

Masaharu Morimoto comments on being Grand Marshal:

MASTERCHEF: Special guest chef Masaharu Morimoto in the “King of the Crabs” episode of MASTERCHEF airing Wednesday, July 24 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. © FOX MEDIA LLC. CR: Greg Gayne/ FOX.

“I am deeply honored to be appointed the Grand Marshal of this year’s Japan Parade in New York City.

This role gives me a unique opportunity to celebrate and share the rich, dynamic culture of Japan with the heart of one of the world’s most vibrant cities.”

MASTERCHEF: Special guest chef Masaharu Morimoto in the “King of the Crabs” episode of MASTERCHEF airing Wednesday, July 24 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. © FOX MEDIA LLC. CR: Greg Gayne/ FOX.

About Chef Morimoto:

“Chef Masaharu Morimoto — known to millions as the star of Iron Chef and Iron Chef America and now executive producer and head judge for Roku’s Sushi Master — has garnered critical and popular acclaim for his seamless integration of Western and Japanese ingredients.

MASTERCHEF: Special guest chef Masaharu Morimoto in the “King of the Crabs” episode of MASTERCHEF airing Wednesday, July 24 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. © FOX MEDIA LLC. CR: Greg Gayne/ FOX.

In 2001, Chef Morimoto opened his first restaurant in Philadelphia, which was later followed by restaurants in New York, Napa, Honolulu, Boca Raton, Mumbai, Mexico City, Tokyo, and Maui.

MASTERCHEF: L-R: Contestant Renee with special guest Chef Masaharu Morimoto and host/chef Gordon Ramsay in the “King of the Crabs” episode of MASTERCHEF airing Wednesday, July 24 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. © FOX MEDIA LLC. CR: Greg Gayne/ FOX.

Morimoto Asia Orlando at Disney Springs opened in 2015, followed by Momosan NYC and Morimoto Las Vegas at MGM Grand in 2016. Morimoto Asia Waikiki, Momosan Waikiki, and Morimoto Doha opened in 2018.

Next came Momosan Seattle (2019), Momosan Wynwood (2020), Morimoto Taghazout Bay (2021), Sa’Moto (2021), Momosan at Hub Hall in Boston (2021), Morimoto Asia Napa and Momosan Santana Row (2022), Morimoto Bordeaux, Morimoto Jakarta, and Morimoto by Sea aboard Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam (2023), and most recently and most recently Mori Mori, bringing Chef Morimoto’s global restaurant count to 24.

His first cookbook, Morimoto: The New Art of Japanese Cooking (2007), won two IACP awards (in the “Chef’s and Restaurants” category and the “First Book: The Julia Child Award”), and it was nominated for a James Beard Foundation Award.

MASTERCHEF: L-R: Contestant Noah with host/chef Gordon Ramsay and special guest chef Masaharu Morimoto in the “King of the Crabs” episode of MASTERCHEF airing Wednesday, July 24 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. © FOX MEDIA LLC. CR: Greg Gayne/ FOX.

His second cookbook, Mastering The Art of Japanese Cooking (2017), introduces readers to the healthy, flavorful, surprisingly simple dishes favored by Japanese home cooks.”

MASTERCHEF: L-R: Host/chef Gordon Ramsay with special guest chef Masaharu Morimoto in the “King of the Crabs” episode of MASTERCHEF airing Wednesday, July 24 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. © FOX MEDIA LLC. CR: Greg Gayne/ FOX.

– The 4th annual Japan Parade & Street Fair in New York City will be held on Saturday, May 10, beginning at 1:00 pm Et. Japan Parade 2025 will begin on Central Park West at West 81st Street and travel south to West 67th Street.

– Check out The Natural Aristocrat®’s exclusive interview with Hell’s Kitchen alumni Brynn Gibson.

Our Interviews with prior Japan Parade Grand Marshals

– George Takei Interview: Japan Parade NYC Grand Marshal

– Kristi Yamaguchi Interview: Japan Parade 2023, Stephen Curry

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