Velaa recently welcomed Chef Kanji Kobayashi, a master of agrigastronomy and one of Japan’s most respected culinary artisans, as he kicked off our Culinary Month with two exclusive pop-up dinners at Tavaru.

With over 25 years of experience shaped by his formative years in Italy and a deep-rooted dedication to seasonal cooking, Chef Kanji’s cuisine blends precision, creativity, and the rhythms of nature. His thoughtful philosophy, centred around sustainability and local produce, has earned him two Michelin stars, a Green Star, and recognition on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. His pop-up dinners at Tavaru reflected his commitment to capturing the essence of the season and the soul of each ingredient, bringing the purity of nature to the table with quiet sophistication and exceptional artistry, marking a distinguished opening to Velaa’s Culinary Month.