Opens in a new tab
Skip to content

Balfegó, the only company dealing in wild-caught bluefin tuna that holds an environmental sustainability certification. Certificates: ISO 14001 · ISO 9001

ITAMAE Balfegó
Latest edition

Professional Sushi Championship

Best Sushi Chef in Europe

ITAMAE Balfegó

ITAMAE Balfegó 2026

Professional Sushi Championship

Best Sushi Chef in Europe

Balfegó Bluefin Tuna

Madrid

Barcelona

L'Ametlla de Mar

Latest edition · IV

Paolo Cini, Europe’s best sushi chef

Paolo Cini, from IE Koji Sakaba (Italy), won the 4th edition of ITAMAE Balfegó, the first European one. Completing the podium were Chi Tam Phan, from Sushi Bar by Goma (France), and Heung Chul Han, from Juno Omakase (United Kingdom).

IV
Edition
10
Finalists
7
Jury
The three winners of ITAMAE Balfegó 2026, holding their first, second, and third-place signs, together with the other finalists, the jury, and the organizers on the gala stage.

Awards ceremony

ITAMAE Balfegó 2026

28.09.2026

L'Ametlla de Mar · Tarragona

The first European edition of ITAMAE took place at Balfegó’s newly inaugurated facilities—the most advanced ones dedicated to bluefin tuna.

See ITAMAE Balfegó 2026

What is ITAMAE?

ITAMAE (from the Japanese 板前, “in front of the cutting board”)

ITAMAE Balfegó is the professional sushi championship that seeks to recognize the best sushi chef in Europe.

A celebration of Japanese cuisine based on technique, precision, creativity, and respect for the product, with Balfegó bluefin tuna taking center stage.

Balfegó launched it in 2022 as Spain’s first professional sushi championship, with the aim of promoting knowledge of Japanese cuisine and creating value around it. In 2026, it opened its call for entries—for the first time—to the best active sushi chefs from across Europe.

Discover the ITAMAE Universe

  • Technique

    Gijutsu

  • Precision

    Seikaku

  • Creativity

    Sōzō

  • Respect

    Keii

Roll of honor

All editions

From the first professional sushi championship in Spain, in 2022, to the first European edition, in 2026. Hideki Matsuhisa (Koy Shunka*) and Yoshikazu Yanome (Kaido*) have been part of the jury in all four editions.

  1. 4th edition · 2026

    Paolo Cini

    Winner, from IE Koji Sakaba (Italy). 2nd Chi Tam Phan, from Sushi Bar by Goma (France); 3rd Heung Chul Han, from Juno Omakase (United Kingdom).
    The first European edition: 10 finalists and a 7-member international jury, on September 28, 2026, at the Balfegó facilities in L’Ametlla de Mar (Tarragona).

    See ITAMAE Balfegó 2026

  2. 3rd edition · 2024

    Sergio Solís

    Winner: Ta-Kumi (Marbella). 2nd: Brendan Ferrero Cassidy, of Os-Kuro (Barcelona); 3rd: Bastian Fuentes, of Saisho (Madrid).
    The first edition in Barcelona: 8 finalists (7 competed), on June 17, 2024, at the Llotja de Mar.

  3. 2nd edition · 2023

    Masayuki Narumi

    Winner: Daikichi Beach (Alicante). 2nd place: José Cobos Cortés, of Ebisu by Kobos (Madrid); 3rd place: Rubén Martín Reyes, of Ukiyo (Jaén).
    8 finalists, on June 19, 2023, at the Complejo Duques de Pastrana in Madrid.

  4. 1st edition · 2022

    Steven Bosen Wu Zheng

    Winner, from the Imperial restaurant (Pamplona). 2nd Luis Bandera Heredia, from Grupo Mosh Restaurants (Marbella); 3rd Wenji Peng, from Oishi (Reus).
    Spain’s first professional sushi championship: 8 finalists, September 5, 2022, at the Complejo Duques de Pastrana in Madrid.

Previous editions

  • Winners from a previous edition of ITAMAE Balfegó, together with the jury and the organizers, holding signs for the first, second, and third-place prizes.

    Awards ceremony

  • Four sushi chefs working behind the engraved ITAMAE Balfegó wooden counter, in front of the jury.

    Before the jury

  • Five taiko percussionists in kimonos during their performance at the ITAMAE Balfegó gala.

    Taiko at the gala

Next edition

See you in 2027

The 5th edition of ITAMAE Balfegó will take place in 2027; the date is yet to be confirmed. Follow our social media channels to stay up to date with the latest news.