Projects
Project: Opportunities for interactive learning, practical application, community building, as well as hands-on location-based experiences, Koji Akademia provides an unprecedented degree of access to the world of koji.
Role: Co-founder, co-instructor.
As Part of: Potts.K Productions
Collaborators: Nakaji, Koji no Gakko
Web: Koji Akademia
Project: World’s first podcast dedicated to sake (nihonshu) and shochu, sharing the latest information and stories directly from Japan from those on the front lines of the industry.
Role: Show producer, planner and co-host.
As Part of: Potts.K Productions
Collaborators: Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center, Sake2020, Export Japan, Christopher Pellegrini, John Gauntner, Chris Hughes, Sebastien Lemoine, Frank Walter
Web: Sake On Air
Project: Local food tourism lodge integrating culinary education, food culture tours and experiences in the heart of Udon Country - Kagawa, Japan.
Role: Tour and culinary program curriculum development, global communication and marketing support.
As Part of: Potts.K Productions
Collaborators: Ms. Kanako Harada & Taskii Inc., umari Inc., Sanuki Menki Co., Ltd.
Web: Udon House
Project: Program designed to train and develop local talent in rural areas of Japan with the skills and knowledge necessary in order to create, organize, guide and host engaging and rewarding tours focusing on local gastronomy and related cultural experiences.
Role: Program development, instruction, tour development, guide
As Part of: Potts.K Productions
Collaborators: GEN (Genuine Education Network), UNISG (University of Gastronomic Sciences, Italy), Tsuruoka - UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy (Yamagata Prefecture), Shima City (Mie Prefecture), The Hidden Japan
Project: Japanese food, sake, and related culture events, promotion, education, entertainment, and local market support platform.
Role: Local client support, event organization, market strategy, sake event production and education, international communications, a little bit of everything
As Part of: Peace Kitchen
Collaborators: Glider, Table For Two, Un Posto a Milano, Cascina Cuccagna, Cucinoteca, Esterni, Rhizomatiks, Play, Gen Ohashi, Machiko Tateno, Lance Henderstein, all of our Partners, Sponsors & Supporters
Web: peace-kitchen.org
Project: City-wide 'university' hosted in locations scattered throughout the heart of Tokyo's central financial district designed to connect Tokyo's business professionals with new opportunities for community development through rural involvement.
Role: Course content creation and organization, international communications and support, regional program development, lecturer (Japanese & English)
As Part of: umari Inc.
Collaborators: Mitsubishi Estate, BAUM Ltd., SunPlax, countless course content collaborators and hosts
Web: asadaigaku.jp
Project: Gekkeikan Sake events and promotion for the Italian market; focus on Milan.
Role: Project and event planning and coordination, team management and direction, hosting and execution, concept direction
As Part of: Peace Kitchen
Collaborators: Gekkeikan Sake Co., Cascina Cuccagna, Un Posto a Milano, Lance Henderstein, Milanosake, Lippstick House Culture
Project: International team of creatives and business designers organized to consult and assist with the development of regional development projects throughout Japan.
Role: Project and event coordination, team management and direction, project-based consulting management
As Part of: umari Inc.
Collaborators: Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Niigata Visitors and Convention Bureau, Tabizen, S.T. Company, Salad Bowl Co., Ltd., JLIC Members
Web: jlic.jp
Project: New sake product promotion, brand consulting, and local market support (Italy).
Role: Brand consulting, event organization and support, promotional activity coordination and planning.
As Part of: umari Inc., Peace Kitchen
In Support of: Konishi Brewing Company
Collaborators: Glider, Yes International, Ramen Bar Akira, Gen Ohashi, Milanosake, Kazuha 'Ippa' Yayoi
Web: de Ai
Project: Promotional strategy and inbound tourism platform development for Japan's National Parks.
Role: Project organization, tour organization, local development session planning, lecture and support, team development, international brand consulting
As Part of: umari Inc.
Collaborators: Japan Ministry of Environment, Dentsu, Japan Guide, Yamatogokoro, Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau, Farmers Forest, Kyushu no Mura, Inside Japan Tours, Everett Kennedy Brown, far too many others to thank
Project: English-language version of Japan's most widely read sake media.
Role: Early-stage planning and consulting, long-term business development consultation.
As Part of: Potts.K
In Support of: Clear Inc.
Collaborators: Christopher Hughes
Web: SakeTimes
Project: Food tourism R&D for local regions throughout Japan, with emphasis on producers, growers, under-shared local culture, people, craftsmen, etc. Rediscovering, communicating, and sharing truly local food experiences.
Role: Program planning and development, tour organization, guiding, content curation, team building, education
As Part of: umari Inc.
In Support of: Numerous local regions (Niigata, Noto, Toyama, Tohoku, others). Currently expanded to project development with Willer Travel.
Web: Nippon Travel Restaurant (Willer Travel)
Project: Social media initiative highlighting unique, local experiences available throughout Japan together with a diverse team of Japan food/culture professionals targeting the international market.
Role: Project lead, organization, editor, design, brand, and image consulting
As Part of: umari Inc.
Collaborators: Dentsu, Iine! Japan, Everett Kennedy Brown, Nancy Singleton, Tom Vincent
Project: Independent digital game and media distribution platform, focusing on highlighting undiscovered titles from independent Japanese developers, while providing localization and local marketing support. Introduce the concept of 'indie' game to the Japanese market, selecting premier international titles for localization, release, promotion, marketing, and distribution in the Japanese market.
Role: Concept design, project design, developer relations, launch strategy, brand strategy, platform design, launch, team management, project direction
As Part of: Active Gaming Media
Web: Playism
Project: Food and cultural events for families living in Tokyo with limited opportunities to connect with local food and culture. A reimagining of the terakoya concept for today's lifestyle.
Role: Program design, content coordination, event hosting, general planning, web management, instructor/speaker
As Part of: umari Inc.
Collaborators: stillwater, Roppongi Nouen, Kazuha 'Ippa' Yayoi