#FOOD: RYUSUKE NAKGAWA X JONATHAN WILLIAMS COLLABORATION JUNE 1, 2025

On Sunday, June 1, two of Toronto’s top culinary talents will collaborate for a one-night-only tasting dinner event at Park Hyatt Toronto. Set in the 17th-floor Terrace Room with sweeping skyline views, the event will feature an 8-course tasting menu presented by Executive chefs Ryusuke Nakagawa of Aburi Hana and Jonathan Williams of Park Hyatt Toronto. Only 30 seats are available. The evening will begin at 6:00 PM and include a welcome cocktail, canapés, curated wine pairings, and live music. Tickets are $600 per guest (plus 13% tax and 20% gratuity). Reservations are now open. Reserve your seat HERE.

The Aburi Hana and Park Hyatt Toronto collaboration between chef Ryusuke Nakagawa and chef Jonathan Williams is a first-of-its-kind dining experience between Park Hyatt Toronto, one of the city’s most iconic luxury hotels, and Aburi Hana, Toronto’s top MICHELIN-starred Japanese kaiseki destination. Marking the finale of Sakura Season, the dinner will highlight the refined techniques of chef Nakagawa, trained under a master chef to the Emperor of Japan, alongside the contemporary Canadian style of chef Williams, who is leading Park Hyatt Toronto’s culinary resurgence.

The evening begins with a welcome cocktail and canapés crafted in partnership with Roku Gin. Live music will accompany the dinner to round out the guest experience. The 8-course tasting menu will feature alternating dishes by chefs Nakagawa and Williams. Highlights include chef Nakagawa’s Lobster Kimiyaki with uni and chia seed soy and Maguro Flower Sashimi, paired with Chef Williams’ locally inspired creations such as Aged Duck and Mimosa Springs Trout. The dinner will conclude with a Miyazaki Mango dessert by Aburi Hana’s Executive Pastry chef Aiko Uchigoshi, whose award-winning pastry expertise spans more than 15 years.
“I’m excited to be teaming up with chef Ryusuke for this event,” says chef Jonathan Williams. “It’s always inspiring to work alongside other chefs in Toronto who are pushing boundaries. This dinner is about more than great food—it’s about celebrating the incredible talent in our city and giving guests a new perspective on what fine dining can be.”

“I’m thrilled about this unique opportunity with chef Jonathan to honour the beauty of the Sakura season, which is a profound symbol of renewal in Japanese culture. It’s a beautiful way to showcase the rich tapestry of both Japanese and Canadian heritage through culinary expression,” says chef Ryusuke Nakagawa.

Event Details
Date: Sunday, June 1, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Terrace Room, 17th Floor – Park Hyatt Toronto
Tickets: $600 per guest (+13% tax & 20% gratuity)
Includes: Welcome cocktail, canapés, 8-course tasting menu, curated wine pairings, live music.
Seating: Limited to 30 guests only

Reservations are now open. Reserve your seat HERE.

About chef Ryusuke Nakagawa
MICHELIN-starred chef Ryusuke Nakagawa, hailing from Japan’s Shikoku Island, began his culinary journey at 18 as a line chef at Kōyō Ryokan Hotel, where he mastered authentic Japanese cuisine and rose to Head chef within seven years. Under the mentorship of renowned chefs Murata Yoshihiro and Kotani Akihiro, including time at the three-star MICHELIN restaurant Kikunoi, he honed his expertise in Kyōto-style Kaiseki and the principle of kodawari—a dedication to quality and tradition. Chef Nakagawa has since developed a contemporary approach to Kyō-Kaiseki, blending seasonal ingredients with modern techniques and artful plating. At ABURI Restaurants Canada, he aims to introduce North American diners to his unique style while embodying Japanese hospitality

About chef Jonathan Williams
Executive chef at Park Hyatt Toronto, Jon Williams, has led some of the most celebrated kitchens in Toronto, London, and New York. With roots in Richmond Station and Michelin-starred experiences at The Clove Club and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Williams is redefining modern Canadian cuisine with a focus on sustainability, regionality, and wine-forward gastronomy.

About Aburi Hana
One-MICHELIN-Star Aburi Hana brings an unprecedented Kyō-Kaiseki experience to Toronto, a traditional Kyōto-style, course menu steeped in history and ritual. Executive chef Ryusuke Nakagawa’s modern interpretation embodies and elevates the tradition to create a distinctively contemporary experience. Starting with a foundation of the finest Japanese ingredients from the land and sea, he incorporates local produce to reflect the changing seasons. Aburi Hana ranked #29 on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants of 2025.

About Park Hyatt Toronto
Park Hyatt Toronto is a refined urban retreat recognized among the city’s most distinguished hotels. One of the few properties in Toronto awarded a MICHELIN Key, it blends understated luxury with deeply personalized service and immersive cultural and culinary experiences. Located in the heart of Yorkville—Toronto’s most fashionable neighborhood—the hotel features 219 elegantly appointed guest rooms, including 40 suites, and is home to Writers Room Bar, named one of Canada’s 50 Best Bars.