The Gohan Society

What The Gohan Society does

The Gohan Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural organization founded in 2005 and headquartered in New York City, whose stated mission is to advocate for mutual appreciation of culinary heritage between the United States and Japan. It has no core technology platform; its operations are built around in-person programming, a Squarespace website with PayPal payment processing, an active Instagram presence, and a Mailchimp newsletter. The organization runs four principal program lines: the Chef Scholars Program, a 17-day U.S.-Japan Culinary Cultural Exchange that sends accomplished sous chefs, chefs de cuisine, and executive chefs to Japan (with the 2026 cohort in Kanazawa meeting the Mayor at City Hall); Student + Educator Programs offering experiential Japanese cooking lessons for high school students and professional development for teachers; Public Programs including producer tours, tastings, dinners, and talks in NYC; and a Member Discount Program with participating Japanese restaurants, bars, and stores. Revenue is generated through tiered annual memberships ($25 student, $50 industry professional, $60 individual, $100 dual, $1,000 corporate), tax-deductible donations via PayPal, and the annual 'East Meets West at the Table' benefit dinner with $1,200 individual tickets and corporate sponsorships ranging from $6,000 (Ninja Bronze) to $11,000 (Daimyo Gold). The organization sits within a curated ecosystem of 50+ culinary advisors (including Nobu, Eric Ripert, Daniel Boulud, Masaharu Morimoto, Marcus Samuelsson, and Jacques Pepin), 19+ corporate partners (Brooklyn Brewery, Suntory, Kewpie, Pat LaFrieda, Korin, House Foods, Ito En, Marukome, Sun Noodle, Wine of Japan, and others), and a strategic partnership with Ishikawa Prefecture as the primary destination host. Founder and Chair Saori Kawano also leads Korin Inc., and Executive Director Cerise Mayo has led operations since December 2019. The organization employs 51-100 people and has no disclosed funding rounds, M&A activity, or external equity ownership.

Name

The Gohan Society

Legal name

The Gohan Society

Website

https://gohansociety.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Gohan Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2005 in New York City that advances Japanese culinary culture in the U.S. through chef scholarship exchanges to Japan, student and educator programs, public tastings, and a member-supported network of culinary professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Culinary Cultural Exchange

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Culinary Skills Workshops (Baking, Regional Cooking, Food Prep Skills) (THAJAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Culinary & Wine Travel Agencies (THAKAFAH)

Keywords

• Culinary cultural exchange
• Japanese food heritage
• Chef scholarship program
• Culinary education nonprofit
• Japanese cooking classes

Headquarters

HQ city

New City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing access to member events, public programs, and discounts at partner restaurants, bars, and stores. Tiers include individual ($60), dual ($100), industry professional ($50), student ($25), and corporate ($1,000).
2. Event Tickets and Benefit Dinners: Revenue from sold-out annual benefit 'East Meets West at the Table' featuring omakase dining with individual tickets at $1,200 and sponsorship packages ranging from $6,000 (Bronze) to $11,000 (Gold).
3. Donations: Tax-deductible donations accepted via PayPal as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Gohan Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit cultural exchange organization that promotes Japanese culinary heritage in the United States through educational programs and events. Its primary offerings are the Chef Scholars Program (a 17-day U.S.-Japan culinary scholarship for accomplished chefs), Student and Educator Programs (experiential Japanese cooking classes and professional development), Public Programs (producer tours, tastings, and dinners in NYC), Membership Programs at five tiers ($25-$1,000), and the annual East Meets West at the Table benefit dinner. The organization is funded through membership dues, tax-deductible donations, and event sponsorships.

Product overview

The Gohan Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit cultural exchange organization, not a technology product company. It operates a portfolio of membership programs, educational initiatives, and public events centered on promoting Japanese culinary heritage in the United States. The core offerings include the Chef Scholars Program (17-day Japan culinary exchange scholarships), Student and Educator Programs (cooking classes for high schools and professional development for teachers), Public Programs (dinners, tastings, and tours), and the annual East Meets West at the Table benefit event. Revenue is generated through membership fees (ranging from $25 for students to $1,000 for corporate) and donations, supplemented by the Member Discount Program offering partner restaurant savings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Programs Annual membership tiers providing access to member events, advance sign-up for public programs, and discounts at partner Japanese restaurants, bars, and stores throughout New York City. Available to individuals, couples, industry professionals, students, and corporate entities.
• Chef Scholars Program A 17-day U.S.-Japan culinary cultural exchange scholarship that sends accomplished Sous Chefs, Chefs de Cuisine, or Executive Chefs (6+ years experience) to Japan for immersive culinary training in Kanazawa, Kyoto, Sakai, and Tokyo, including visits to Michelin-starred establishments, knife craftsmen, sake breweries, and fugu cutting workshops.
• Student + Educator Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 20 years of continuous operation since 2005
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Brooklyn BreweryminorOthersCorporate partner providing beverage support for Gohan Society events and programs. Listed on partners page with logo link to Brooklyn Brewery website.
• FukumitsuyaminorOthersJapanese sake brewery partner. Featured in 2027 Chef Scholar itinerary with scheduled brewery tour on February 20th in Kanazawa.
• Hokto KinokominorOthersMushroom company partner supporting Gohan Society culinary programs and events.
• House FoodsminorOthersJapanese food products corporate partner supporting Gohan Society programs with ingredients and products.
• International Culinary CentercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCulinary education institution partner. Alain Sailhac serves as Dean Emeritus on the board. Shared mission of culinary professional development and education.
• Ikenobo AmericaminorOthersIkebana (Japanese flower arrangement) cultural organization partner providing cultural education components for Gohan Society programs.
• Ishikawa PrefecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapanese government prefecture hosting Chef Scholars in Kanazawa. 2026 cohort met with the Mayor of Kanazawa at City Hall. Core destination partner for the annual scholarship program.
• Ito EnminorOthersJapanese tea company partner providing beverage support for Gohan Society events and programs.
• J CollabominorOthersJapanese food/cultural organization partner supporting Gohan Society initiatives.
• KewpieminorOthersJapanese food products corporation partner supporting Gohan Society programs with specialty ingredients.
• Korin Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Saori Kawano, also Founder & Chair of The Gohan Society. Serves as primary operational partner and supporter of the organization.
• MarukomeminorOthersJapanese miso and food products partner supporting Gohan Society culinary programs.
• Mikuni Wild HarvestminorOthersWild foods and specialty ingredient partner for Gohan Society programs.
• Pat LaFriedaminorOthersPremium meat supplier partner supporting Gohan Society events and programs with high-quality proteins.
• SonaminorOthersRestaurant partner. David Myers listed as culinary advisor; restaurant connection supports Chef Scholar program and events.
• Sun NoodleminorOthersJapanese noodle company partner providing specialty ingredients for Gohan Society programs and events.
• SuntoryminorOthersJapanese beverage company partner (whiskey, beer, spirits) supporting Gohan Society events with premium beverages.
• TIC Restaurant GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTIC Restaurant Group under President Bon Yagi (Board member). Core strategic partner in the Japanese culinary community in NYC. Takeda Masahiro serves as culinary advisor.
• Wine of JapanminorOthersJapanese wine and beverage partner supporting Gohan Society events with sake and Japanese wine selections.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Japan Society (New York): A NYC-based non-profit dedicated to deepening the U.S.-Japan relationship through arts, culture, business, and education programming. Comparable as a NYC-based cultural exchange non-profit with overlapping Japanese-cultural mission and similar membership and event-based programming model.
• James Beard Foundation: A 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on celebrating, nurturing, and advocating for the American culinary community through awards, scholarships, and education programs. Directly comparable as a culinary advocacy non-profit that runs chef recognition, scholarships, and benefit dinners targeting the same high-end culinary patron audience.
• C-CAP (Careers through Culinary Arts Program): A national non-profit that empowers underserved youth through culinary arts education and career opportunities. Comparable as a culinary-education non-profit serving student and emerging-chef populations; specifically relevant because Gohan Society President Susan Robbins is former President of C-CAP.
• Slow Food USA: A national non-profit advocating for good, clean, and fair food through education, events, and community programs. Comparable as a mission-driven food-culture non-profit; specifically relevant because Gohan Society Executive Director Cerise Mayo was previously Director of Special Projects at Slow Food U.S.
• Tsuji Culinary Institute: Renowned Japanese culinary school in Osaka with deep alumni network across Japanese professional kitchens. Comparable as a culinary education institution specializing in Japanese cuisine and as an active program partner that hosts Gohan Society Chef Scholars in Japan.
• Les Dames d'Escoffier: An international non-profit of women leaders in the culinary, hospitality, and fine beverage industries, providing scholarships, mentoring, and education. Comparable as a culinary professional society running scholarship, education, and networking programs targeting the same elite chef and hospitality audience.
• American Culinary Federation: The largest professional chefs' organization in the U.S., offering certification, education, and networking for culinary professionals. Comparable as a membership-based culinary professional organization running scholarships, certification, and educational events for working chefs.
• Institute of Culinary Education: A large NYC-based culinary school offering professional and recreational culinary education across cuisines. Comparable as a culinary education institution serving both aspiring chefs and food enthusiasts with hands-on classes and professional training programs.
• Asia Society: A leading non-profit promoting mutual understanding between the U.S. and Asia through arts, business, culture, and education programming, with a major NYC flagship. Comparable as a large cultural-exchange non-profit operating in NYC with broader Asian mission and similar events, education, and membership-based engagement model.
• International Culinary Center (ICC): A premier culinary education institution in NYC focused on professional culinary training. Directly comparable because Gohan Society names ICC as a core partner, with Dean Emeritus Alain Sailhac on the board — both share the chef professional development mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/p/DUn_Y3zjhdW
• Xx.com/gohansociety
• Facebookfacebook.com/gohansociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-gohan-society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Gohan Society