Hotel Okura Niigata (Location: Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture; General Manager: Masanori Honda) is pleased to announce the appointment of Daisuke Tsutsui as Executive Chef, effective July 1, 2026. Daisuke Tsutsui, Executive Chef, Hotel Okura Niigata Daisuke Tsutsui joined Hotel Okura Niigata in 2000 and has since honed his skills under successive executive chefs and chefs in the Western cuisine and banquet culinary departments. He served as Sous Chef at the French restaurant "Starlight" from 2017 and as Chef of "Buffet Restaurant Tsubaki" from 2020, leading the culinary department while inheriting Okura's traditional techniques and continuously pursuing new initiatives. He has also dedicated himself to acquiring a wide range of culinary skills, including "ice sculpting," a technique he has worked on since joining the company, creating sculptures from blocks of ice using chainsaws and chisels to adorn banquet halls and other spaces. In addition to winning domestic ice sculpting contests, he actively participates in culinary competitions to improve his skills. His dedication was recognized with a commendation from the Niigata Prefecture Chefs Association. Upon his appointment, Tsutsui stated his ambition: "I will sincerely strive to deliver inspiration and comfort to each and every one of our guests. While inheriting tradition, I will always keep new challenges in mind to ensure that many guests say, 'This is truly Okura's cuisine,' and I will continue to move forward to provide even greater satisfaction." Hotel Okura Niigata will continue to offer cuisine and exquisite moments that welcome many guests from Niigata Prefecture, as well as from Japan and abroad, while inheriting Okura's traditional techniques and flavors. ■Daisuke Tsutsui Brief Biography■ Date of Birth: April 5, 1980 2000: Graduated from Tokyo Culinary School 2000: Joined Hotel Okura Niigata Co., Ltd. 2017: Sous Chef, French Restaurant "Starlight" (at the time) 2020: Chef, "Buffet Restaurant Tsubaki"