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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Food devider Panasonic and Lexus highlight Japanese precision in exclusive sushi workshop

Panasonic and Lexus highlight Japanese precision in exclusive sushi workshop

Chef Sato of Hotel Okura leads culinary experience showcasing Panasonic's Prime Fresh tech and Lexus' design philosophy

Published Jun 16, 2025 04:53 pm
PRECISION MEETS PASSION: Chef Sato of Hotel Okura rolls True Japanese Excellence, heritage, and flavors into one art.
PRECISION MEETS PASSION: Chef Sato of Hotel Okura rolls True Japanese Excellence, heritage, and flavors into one art.
Panasonic Philippines and Lexus brought together select guests for a private sushi-making workshop last weekend in Bonifacio Global City, offering an immersive look at Japanese craftsmanship through culinary tradition, home innovation, and automotive design.
Led by Chef Sato of Hotel Okura, the “Mastering the Art of Sushi” workshop gathered VIP customers and invited guests to learn firsthand the techniques and values behind Japan’s iconic dish. The event was part of an ongoing collaboration between the two brands, both of which emphasize craftsmanship, attention to detail, and user-centered design.
“At Panasonic, our ultimate goal is to provide you, our loyal Filipino customers, with more moments to enjoy good food shared with your loved ones – made possible with our appliances crafted with True Japanese Excellence,” said Satoshi Kono, vice president and COO of Panasonic Philippines.
Central to the workshop was the Panasonic PRIME+ Edition Refrigerator, which features Prime Fresh soft-freezing technology. It keeps fish and meat fresh for up to seven days at -3°C without compromising texture or taste.
PURSUING PERFECTION: Lexus sets the standard for modern luxury and excellence.
PURSUING PERFECTION: Lexus sets the standard for modern luxury and excellence.
ELEVATING YOUR KITCHEN: Panasonic Prime Fresh helps to keep the taste, nutrition, and freshness of your ingredients at their prime—always.
ELEVATING YOUR KITCHEN: Panasonic Prime Fresh helps to keep the taste, nutrition, and freshness of your ingredients at their prime—always.
GUIDED BY A MASTER CHEF'S HAND: One of the participants learns the fundamentals of sushi making from renowned Chef Sato of Hotel Okura.
GUIDED BY A MASTER CHEF'S HAND: One of the participants learns the fundamentals of sushi making from renowned Chef Sato of Hotel Okura.
“What I love is that the Panasonic PRIME+ Edition Refrigerator allows us to make these types of food at home and it’s easy—it doesn’t have to be you buying ingredients every single day because it can keep it fresh,” said certified nutritionist-dietitian and content creator Jo Sebastian. “Quality ingredients are important. But it doesn’t have to be a special occasion—it can be an everyday thing.”
Chef Sato emphasized that temperature control is critical in sushi preparation. “Having fresh ingredients is so important. Temperature is so important. We always calculate the temperature. With the Panasonic PRIME+ Edition Refrigerator, we have more control over the degrees,” he said.
Sebastian, who recently traveled to Japan, added, “I love how they focus on balance because you always find a little bit of veggies in your Japanese restaurant. And it’s always the experience as well—when you see a chef in front of you making the food, you see how careful they are and how much of their love goes into making it. You really feel that and you taste it as well.”
IN GREAT COMPANY: Event attendees, Chef Sato, and the Panasonic Philippines team come together to celebrate a shared passion for True Japanese Excellence.
IN GREAT COMPANY: Event attendees, Chef Sato, and the Panasonic Philippines team come together to celebrate a shared passion for True Japanese Excellence.
TRUE JAPANESE EXCELLENCE: Jo Sebastian delves into how Japan’s culinary traditions and respect for ingredients reshaped her food journey.
TRUE JAPANESE EXCELLENCE: Jo Sebastian delves into how Japan’s culinary traditions and respect for ingredients reshaped her food journey.
EACH ROLL TELLS A STORY: Chef Sato delivers Japanese artistry in every Maki Sushi—rolled to perfection with precision.
EACH ROLL TELLS A STORY: Chef Sato delivers Japanese artistry in every Maki Sushi—rolled to perfection with precision.
The collaboration between Panasonic and Lexus centers on their shared Japanese heritage. Panasonic, founded in 1918 in Osaka, focuses on innovations that elevate everyday life while honoring the spirit of omotenashi, or thoughtful hospitality. Lexus, similarly, blends thoughtful design and purposeful innovation, guided by a philosophy that puts the customer first.
The event closed with guests raising their chopsticks and saying “Itadakimasu,” a traditional expression of gratitude before meals.
The workshop, which combined technology, tradition, and taste, aimed to reflect the values both brands uphold: a respect for craft, the pursuit of precision, and the desire to create meaningful experiences.
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