Lindsay Gray, Executive Chef at the Tokyo American Club, shares his culinary journey from New Zealand to Japan. Lindsay discusses his initial struggles and eventual appreciation for traditional Japanese dishes like Mozuku. He also talks about the challenges and rewards of managing a diverse kitchen in Japan, his approach to incorporating New Zealand ingredients into his menus, and tips for aspiring chefs looking to work in Japan.

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Lindsay came to be a chef in Japan and working his way into and to the top of the Tokyo American Club
• Highlights of his cooking adventures here including cooking for baseball legend Hideki Matsui
• Lindsay’s predictions for the future of food and beverage
• Lindsay’s tips for working in the F&B industry in Japan

About Lindsay

Welcome to Lindsay Gray who is the resident Kiwi and Executive Chef at the Tokyo American Club. Lindsay is an experienced executive chef with a demonstrated history of working in the hospitality industry in New Zealand and Japan.

Lindsay studied at AIT in New Zealand and got the opportunity to work at the Four Seasons Regent Hotel in Auckland in his early days on an apprenticeship and it was there that his interest in Japan started.

Lindsay has a strong operational background as a professional skilled in Catering, Menu Engineering, Food & Beverage, Concept Development, and P&L management experience is a particular strength.

Lindsay lives by his motto that “Your hobby is your job”.

Links

Tanakada http://tanakada.net/tanakada/index.php

Torigin https://torigin-ginza.jp/eng/

New Torigin http://www.tokyogalaxy.ac.jp/en/japanese-culture/new-torigin-ginza

Kushimura https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g14129735-d1661911-Reviews-Kushimura-Roppongi_Minato_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/

Facebook:

Jay Wilson, an accomplished motocross and supercross rider, shares his journey of how he ended up racing and living in Japan. Jay talks about his passion for motocross which began in his childhood and led him to win a world championship at age 14 in New Zealand. He discusses the challenges and triumphs he faced transitioning to professional racing, and the pivotal moment during the COVID pandemic that led him to send a successful, life-changing message to Yamaha.

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Jay came to racing and winning in motocross racing
• Just how long it took to finalise the opportunity to work in Japan with Yamaha
• Jay’s top tips for enjoying life in Japan and helping his family to succeed here too
• Jay’s aspirations for the future of motocross in Japan and his mission here developing the next generation of riders and bikes

About Jay

Jay Wilson is a Junior World Motocross champion, as well as a multi-time motocross and supercross champion across New Zealand, Australia, and now Japan.

Jay turned Pro in 2011, In 2015 in New Zealand he rode for Altherm JCR Yamaha and wrapped up winning the New Zealand Motocross championship.

Jay moved with his family to Japan in 2022 to take up a full-time test rider, development and pro racing position with Yamaha Motor Co. While racing the All-Japan Motocross Championship, at 29 years of age, he won the 2022, 250 Championship dropping just one moto (heat/round) to be 15/16 for the season. Jay is now a two-time Japanese champion in motocross after dominating both the 250 and 450 classes. He also worked with the Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing team in the US and plays an instrumental role in developing Yamaha’s future motorcycles

Now racing the 450 in the All-Japan Motocross Championships, Jay is an integral part of the Yamaha Factory Innovation Team in Japan as they continue to develop and test new parts for their dirt bikes.

Jay is also involved in mentorship within Yamaha, supporting the next generation and creating safer environments for people to learn how to ride.

His dream is to one day settle in New Zealand but for now, he is in Japan living a successful life as an athlete involved in the day-to-day innovation of motorsport with Yamaha.

Connect with Jay:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaywilson6/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaywilson_6

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In:

Hiroaki (Hans)Nagahara is the Head of Japan for Air New Zealand. We enjoyed this wonderful discussion about our favorite destinations in New Zealand, the evolution of Air New Zealand's services, and the cultural nuances of doing business in Japan. Hans shares personal anecdotes from his extensive career in the aviation industry. This engaging conversation also covers the impact of COVID-19 on travel, the importance of understanding local market needs, and the challenges and opportunities in the airline industry.

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Air New Zealand has evolved since it landed in Japan
• What customer satisfaction looks like in Japan for air travelers
• The percentage of Japanese people who know Air New Zealand and how the airline markets itself to Japan
• What’s happening with the extra capacity for Air New Zealand flights that has been announced

About Hiroaki (Hans)

Hiroaki (Hans) Nagahara first joined Air New Zealand in 1990 and was with the airline for 19 years before you took up the opportunity to join Finnair in 2009 as the CEO of the Japan office. Hiroaki rejoined Air New Zealand as the Japan Branch head in January 2024.

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan