Pastry chef
Owner and Executive Chef of l'Avenue pastry and chocolate shop and Brand Ambassador for Les vergers Boiron Japan
Shigeo Hirai is an internationally-renowned Japanese pastry chef whose passion for the art of pastry making began at an early age.
After graduating from the Tsuji Cooking Academy in 1994, he perfected his culinary craft before embarking on a prolific and varied career.
After working in several pastry shops and restaurants in Japan, Shigeo Hirai travelled to France between 2001 and 2003 to study French patisserie in depth, immersing himself in European culinary techniques and traditions.
His career path took him to the pastry brigade at Tokyo’s Grand Hyatt Hotel, where he advanced through the ranks to become Executive Pastry Chef.
In 2009, he won the prestigious World Chocolate Masters in Paris, following a succession of national prizes in Japan.
In 2012, Shigeo Hirai fulfilled his vision by opening his own chocolate and pastry shop, L’Avenue, in Kitano (Kobe), becoming an iconic venue where his creations are celebrated both for their exquisite taste and artistic presentation.
Currently a brand ambassador for Les vergers Boiron and certified technical advisor to the Federation of Confectionery Associations of Japan, Shigeo Hirai shares his expertise and love of patisserie through various collaborations and professional commitments.
Shigeo Hirai draws his inspiration from the French art of pastry making, where quality comes first.
It is renowned for his signature specialties, such as his chocolate terrine and a mini-chocolate cake, which have made their mark in international competitions.
Always eager to learn and discover new ideas, Shigeo Hirai is convinced that taste experiences must evolve over time, offering subtle and surprising flavors designed to captivate the senses and evoke incomparable emotions.
L’AVENUE
Add / Utopia-Tor 1F 3-7-3, Yamamoto-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe,
Hyogo, 650-0003, Japan
L’AVENUE bis
Add / Arimoto bldg.
1F West 2-25-5, Nakayamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0004, Japan
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