No one can imitate him! Hidehiko Ishizuka respects a “master of food reportage”, a big-name gourmet reporter, for his amazing divine skills!

This is a story about two masters whom I respect

Hello, everyone. It has become completely cooler. Have you changed your clothes from short sleeves to thick short sleeves? My name is Hidehiko Ishizuka. This time, I would like to talk about “Food Repo.

Recently, when I watch TV, I see many programs featuring “gourmet food. In these programs, there are not only gourmet reporters, but also TV personalities, idols, actors, and many other people who report on gourmet food. Everyone has his or her own personality and unique point of view, and I enjoy watching everyone’s reports.

Recently, I often receive requests to teach gourmet reports to young TV personalities. However, to be clear, I have nothing to impart. In fact, when someone gives you a gourmet report, you lose your individuality and worldview.

We can teach technical aspects such as how to present food and how to stand in a restaurant, but there are no rules for expressing the appearance, taste, and texture of food. There are as many different expressions as there are reporters. That is what makes it interesting, I think. I would like to introduce some of my favorites.

First of all, I would like to introduce you to Mr. Kai Ato. I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Ato on several travel programs before his death. Mr. Ato was very quick to close the distance between us. She would start by calling out to me, “Mama-chan,” and before I knew it, I was sitting next to her.

Ms. Ato is tall, so given the height difference between her and the locals, it was easier for the camera to frame her if she sat beside me. By sitting next to me, “Okaachan” also treats me with friendliness, and in a good way, I can remove my actor’s aura and instantly become an “uncle” in the same town. I wish I could have learned more from such a Mr. Ato.

The second was Master Yonesuke. You know him as “Kakutsuki!　Neighbor’s Dinner”, which he has been doing for many years. Once, Master Yonesuke and I competed to see who would be the first to visit an ordinary person’s home and have a meal. I was the first one to attack.

I greeted them at the door, explained the purpose of the program, and had three minutes to get their approval. I went up to the living room, inquired about the family structure, the father’s job, the children’s club activities, etc., and finally took a bite of dinner from the mother in the kitchen. Twenty minutes had passed since the start.

Next was Master Yonesuke. He was already taking off his shoes as he said, “Good evening, neighbor’s dinner. He went to the kitchen saying, “Husband. Seeing that he was still preparing dinner, he went to the dining table. He took a bite of the pickles on the table and reached his goal. It took 1 minute and 30 seconds. It was truly a divine feat. After the battle, the master said to me, “Ishizuka-kun!

Ishizuka-kun, the battle begins when you choose a house. I can tell whether a house is breathing or not by looking at it. If the house is not breathing, the owner is not home, or if he is, he refuses to be photographed.

I wonder how many times I have to learn to recognize the “breath of a house. Master Yonesuke’s back looked incredibly big. I also love Udo Suzuki, who uses honorifics even with elementary school students he meets on location, and Teruhide, who is known for his naturalistic reporting.

I hope you will find your favorite reporter as well. And of course, don’t forget Hidehiko Ishizuka.

From the November 22/29, 2024 issue of FRIDAY