Ep. 41: Tōyama hosts a tai cooking contest at his 77th birthday dinner
Aired on August 28, 1989
41
Tōjin Tōyama and his wife Ryoko visit Touzai offices to gift Yamaoka a Bizen plate and invite him to a 77th birthday dinner at Ryotei Konparu. Kaibara also attends the event where guests propose a tai cooking competition using Tōyama’s plates. Yamaoka controversially enters as an amateur but struggles with preparation. Seeking inspiration, he swims in Akashi and nearly drowns. During the contest, chefs present innovative tai dishes, but Yamaoka surprises everyone by serving tai himono seasoned only with Akashi sea salt. The dish impresses all guests except Kaibara, who storms out in anger.
Episodes
- Ep. 37 · Nagahara learns garlic cooking to restore energy after poor performance
- Ep. 38 · Yamaoka resolves a conflict between a beer hall owner and a master pourer over edamame
- Ep. 39 · Ohara faints from stress and heat, prompting Yamaoka to prepare high-quality rice porridge for his recovery.
- Ep. 40 · Tomii collapses after eating ten bowls of shaved ice, prompting a bar visit with Yamaoka and the Flower Trio.
- Ep. 41 · Tōyama hosts a tai cooking contest at his 77th birthday dinner
- Ep. 42 · Director Tanimura and the Touzai group attend a rakugo show followed by a tofu dinner dispute.
- Ep. 43 · Yamaoka and the flower trio discover a bamboo grove in Kamakura that hotel owner Bitō plans to destroy.
- Ep. 44 · Kitao and Kurita visit Tsukiji market where Natsuko faces gender bias in sushi making
- Ep. 45 · Touzai News reporters attend a Hong Kong film premiere and food competition.