Creative chefs and foodies are wanted for the Cute Character Bento Contest 2015, sponsored by the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles.
The consulate is sponsoring the contest to celebrate the inclusion of Japanese cuisine into UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013 and to highlight Japan’s cute and cool food culture.
Entrants will submit photos of their cute and creative character bentos. Among the posted photo entries, 10 winners will be chosen by the Consulate and BentoUSA from the following categories: bread-based bento, rice-based, pasta-based and bento that do not fall under the other categories.
The grand prize winner will receive one round-trip ticket from the U.S. to Japan presented by All Nippon Airways, an award certificate from the consulate, a $300-$400-value rice cooker presented by one of the leading Japanese supermarkets (Nijiya Market, Mitsuwa Marketplace, Marukai Corporation), a $100-value bento prize pack from BentoUSA, a $50-value bento prize pack from CuteZCute, a cookbook from Kinokuniya Book Stores of America and a food gift bag from Nijiya Market. Other winners will receive some of the above prizes.
More information on the contest is available at www.allthingsforsale.com/bento/contest/. Deadline for submissions is Feb. 22; winners will be announced on March 7.