Gyoza Eating Contest

UTB Cameraman Scott Russell tried his luck at the Nisei Week Gyoza Eating Contest at the JACCC Plaza in Little Tokyo last week. His opponents? Some of the toughest contenders in the world, including World 2nd ranked Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti from Chicago.

Will Scott have what it takes to compete against the best in the world? Please watch to find out!

LA Sake Tasting

Also in Little Tokyo on August 20th was the Nisei Week LA Sake Tasting Festival. Lined up in the venue was everything from canned Chu-hi to over 50 kinds of sake.

Running for the 2nd time this year and co-sponsored by the Nisei Week Foundation, “Sushi & Sake” and Free magazine in Los Angeles, this event gave guests more knowledge and awareness of the many different kinds of sake out there.

Around 352 people visited the hall, showing off the popularity of sake.

Nisei Week Closing Ceremony

Tamie Akimoto reports from the Nisei Week closing ceremony where hundres of people crowded the streets of Little Tokyo for song and dance. Everyone from community heads to celebrities took part in the dances. Even Tamie joined in the dance which are easy enough for anyone to learn.

If you’ve never been to Nisei Week, please come out and join in the fun next year.

Miss Asia USA 2011

The Miss Asia USA 2011 Pageant was held on August 20th at Redondo Beach.

Miss Japan, Tamoka Sano, was one of the top 5 in this year’s contest.

The Miss Asia USA pageant was created with the intention to introduce local culture and friendship. In this year’s contest, 24 people of 16 Asian nationalities were selected to compete for honor of representing Asian-American beauty.

The contest was hosted by Virgelia Productions which has a focus on charity activities. This past April they also held a charity event for the victims of the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake.

Miss Sano, who was born in Sendai, was also part of those charity efforts along with Virgelia Productions and, with Sendai on her mind, had dedicated herself to 3 months of hard practice.

Miss Sano has expressed that she would like to host a charity event herself in the near future.