Seiji Yamamoto, Japan

Yamamoto spent his entire career learning to perfect a particular Japanese cuisine called "kaiseki." This is similar to western "Haute-style" cuisine, meaning "of the highest luxury" or "high-level." Japanese kaiseki cuisine focuses on the multi-course tasting menu style of service while maintaining the highest standard of ingredients and technique. Yamamoto was granted 3 Michelin stars within 5 years of opening his first restaurant, solidifying him as one of the best chefs in Japan, and the world.