Join us for a new event of Shokuiku in Bellevue, hosted at Bellevue Children's Academy!
Join us for a special afternoon celebrating Washoku—the traditional Japanese cuisine—with a focus on Shokuiku, the Japanese concept of food and nutrition education. This family-friendly program, Shokuiku: Family Day of Food Education – Celebrate Washoku, is presented in collaboration with Japan Fair (www.japanfairus.org) and Bellevue Children’s Academy (bcacademy.com).
This event marks the first time we’re bringing the concept of Shokuiku to our community. Shokuiku goes beyond simply teaching what to eat; it’s about nurturing a healthy relationship with food, understanding its origins, and recognizing its connection to our physical and mental well-being, as well as our culture and community.
Saturday, October 18th, 2025
Free admission for all with a suggested donation of $15
Interested in becoming a member? Click here for more information.
About Bellevue Children's Academy
Bellevue Children's Academy (BCA) is a private educational institution in Bellevue, Washington, providing a distinctive academic and holistic experience for students from Preschool through 4th grade. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, BCA is dedicated to a curriculum that fosters intellectual curiosity and critical thinking, preparing students for success in a rapidly changing world. The school's approach is centered on the student, combining rigorous academics with social-emotional development.
BCA's curriculum for its Early Years (Preschool and Pre-K) and Elementary (Kindergarten through 4th grade) programs is based on the IB Primary Years Programme. This framework goes beyond traditional learning, encouraging students to actively participate in their education through an inquiry-based model. The school's commitment to excellence is reflected in its small class sizes and diverse programs, which include specialties like art, music, drama, computer science, and physical education.
Bellevue Children's Academy
14600 NE 24th St, Bellevue, WA 98007
14719 NE 29th Pl, Bellevue, WA 98007
Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:30pm PST (All Offices)
425-649-0791
https://bcacademy.com/
About Featured Presenters
Alissa Rutkowski - Global Child Nutrition Foundation
Theme: “Shokuiku Lessons from Japan: Inspiring Healthy Eating and School Nutrition Worldwide"
Alissa Rutkowski is a Communications Coordinator at the Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF). She helps build messaging and conduct outreach for flagship initiatives like the Global Child Nutrition Forum and the Global Survey of School Meal Programs. Before GCNF, Alissa served as Director of Strategic Initiatives and Membership at the Joint National Committee for Languages and the National Council for Languages and International Studies (JNCL-NCLIS). She holds a BA in Psychology and Communications and is currently pursuing her Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential.
She will share how school meals and nutrition education are transforming children’s lives around the world. Her presentation will highlight lessons learned from GCNF’s 2024 Global Child Nutrition Forum in Osaka, Japan, where school meal and government leaders from over 80 countries gathered to learn from Japan’s world-renowned school meal program.
The Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF) is a Seattle-based nonprofit that supports governments and their partners around the world with the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to build high-quality school meal programs that support all children
Global Child Nutrition Foundation
P.O. Box 99435, Seattle, WA 98139
206-485-0405
info@gcnf.org
https://gcnf.org/
Takayuki Murakami (Taka) – ShoMon Kappo Sushi
Theme: “The Art of Dashi”
Takayuki Murakami, known as Taka, trained from 2013 to 2022 at the Michelin-starred Hassun in Kyoto, where he mastered the foundations of kappo cuisine. From 2022 to 2024, he continued his journey at Shiro’s Sushi in Seattle, studying sushi technique and exploring how Kyoto’s culinary sensibilities could resonate with a modern American palate. He now brings quiet precision and warmth to ShoMon Kappo Sushi, where he is recognized as the restaurant’s “Dashi Master.” His broths are celebrated for their clarity, balance, and depth of flavor. For this program, Taka will share his knowledge of dashi—the essential base of Japanese cooking—and how it can inspire families to appreciate the beauty of simple, foundational flavors.
ShoMon Kappo Sushi
2301 5th Ave Suite No.102, Seattle WA 98121
Tuesday- Sunday 5pm – 10:30pm
206-582-1938
https://sho-mon.com/
Reiko Yamada – “Onigiri Recipe 101” & “Miso Love”
Theme: “Power of Food”
Reiko Yamada is a cooking adviser and author based in Tokyo, Japan. A graduate of Ferris University, she began teaching cooking in 1995 by hosting “Salon de R,” a private cooking workshop in her home. With 30 years of experience as a food coordinator at a children’s international summer camp, she believes that food is the “most basic form of diplomacy.” To further this mission, she now holds cooking workshops in Japan and internationally in locations such as Singapore, Korea, New York City, and Houston. She also launched the “Onigiri Diplomacy Club” on Facebook to expand the “onigiri circle” worldwide.
She is the author of cookbooks that celebrate Japanese comfort food. “Everyday Onigiri: 101 Healthy, Easy Japanese Riceball Recipes” is a bilingual cookbook that features a variety of simple and healthy onigiri recipes. Her latest book, “Miso Love” is a guide to cooking with miso, showcasing the versatility and health benefits of this traditional Japanese ingredient.
Thanks to our Food Sponsors
The following sponsors have also generously provided pasta, Japanese snacks, and beverages for all of our guests to take home and enjoy!
Event Co-Host
Brought to You By an Amazing Team!
For more information, visit:
https://jassw.org/celebrate-washoku-2025-family
