Have you heard the expression “B-1 Grand Prix” before? If you are interested
in cars, you may think I mean F-1 Grand Prix. However, this expression exists,
and it refers to food in this case. The
name derives from “B-grade gourmet,” which describes casual, inexpensive and
tasty dishes served at restaurants and other eating facilities everywhere in Japan.
The first “B-1 Grand Prix” was held in Aomori in 2006 with the
purpose of introducing local dishes from across Japan. This event has become
annual now, and has been playing a role in grabbing attention for and
revitalizing rather unknown towns that nurtured such dishes.
Now,
if we turn to Tohoku University, you will notice the “D-1 Grand Prix” is taking
place. Why D, not B? It is for “Donburi” in Japanese, which means "rice
bowl dishes." The university’s co-op carries out this event every year to
upgrade their menu by bringing in the students’ ideas. So students can imagine their
favorite donburi, write about them on special forms, and put them in boxes
placed in cafeterias on each campus. Last year, “工学部焼肉丼,” grilled beef rice bowl from the School of Engineering, got first
place.
There will be prizes for the winners: winners
selected on each campus will receive JPY 10,000 on a prepaid card usable at the
cafeteria. A JPY 30,000 prepaid card will be given to the best of the winners.
With ideas from international students, the menu at the cafeteria could include
a fusion of multi-cultural dishes!
