New Otani Kyushu Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce that Takahiro Ota has been appointed as a Director and Executive Chef of New Otani Kyushu (Hakata/Saga) effective June 30, 2026. Director and Executive Chef, New Otani Kyushu ■ New Executive Chef Profile Born in Tochigi Prefecture. Joined New Otani Co., Ltd. in 1987. He honed his skills in the hotel's restaurants, including "Tour d'Argent Tokyo" at Hotel New Otani Tokyo, as well as in banquet divisions. He has served as Executive Chef of Hotel New Otani Osaka and Banquet Chef of Hotel New Otani (Tokyo), and in 2024, he was appointed as Executive Officer and Deputy Executive Chef of New Otani Co., Ltd. For many years, he has been at the core of "New Otani's culinary excellence." In 2023, he was recognized for his contributions to French culinary culture and received the "Chevalier de l'Ordre du Mérite Agricole" from the French Republic. This decoration, established in 1883, is a prestigious order known for being awarded to individuals who have contributed to the development of agriculture, food, and wine culture. As the Executive Chef of New Otani Kyushu, he will fuse the rich ingredients from across Kyushu with the tradition and techniques cultivated by New Otani, offering new "dining experiences" in both Hakata and Saga. ■ Greetings I am deeply honored to have been appointed Executive Chef of New Otani Kyushu. I will leverage my experience to deliver dishes that remain in the hearts of our guests, while engaging with the rich ingredients unique to Kyushu. I aim to make this a hotel where many guests feel "it was worth coming," by promoting the charm of Hakata and Saga through "food." ■ Career 1987 Joined New Otani Co., Ltd. 2012 Deputy Chef, Western Cuisine, at the same company 2014 Executive Chef, Osaka, at the same company 2022 Director of Culinary Operations, Tokyo, at the same company 2024 Executive Officer, Deputy Executive Chef, and Director of Culinary Operations at the same company 2026 Appointed Director an