2026 Sushi Samurai of the Year Competition

As part of the 2026 Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival, sign up for a unique opportunity to compete in Madame Saito's 2026 Sushi Samurai of the Year Contest, to be held on Sunday, March 29, 2026, during Sakura Weekend, the highlight of the annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival.

2026 Sushi Samurai of the Year Competition

Sakura Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 12 PM

Horticulture Center, Philadelphia, PA

$200 per contestant

Includes:

• Ticket to enter 2026 Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival on Sakura Sunday
• One 2-hour sushi making training class
• All sushi making ingredients and materials for training class and competition

*Sushi making training classes can be taken between Thursday-Sunday from 6 - 8 PM from March 12 - 27, 2026.

Madame Saito has been an ambassador of Japanese culture and fusion cuisine in the Philadelphia community for more than 40 years.
As the proclaimed “Queen of Sushi” in the Philadelphia area, Madame Saito is a perpetual learner of the culinary arts. She was recently recognized as an exemplary international sushi instructor by the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia and had the opportunity to apprentice with Tadashi Yamagata of Miyako Sushi in Tokyo and Chairman of the All Nippon Sushi Association; Mr. Tsutomu Shimamiya of Sushizen in Tokyo; Mr. Tashiaki Sekine of Sansui Sushi in Tokyo and Haruyoshi Matsuda of Ozushi in Mie, all of the premiers sushi chefs of Japan today. In addition to her Japanese roots, Madame Saito also has formal education at the Le Cordon Bleu and the Ritz Escoffier in Paris. Madame Saito teaches sushi-making classes for all skill levels.

To learn more about Madame Saito, please .

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