TOKYO (VNS)- Tokyo's first-ever Japanese cooking competition for foreign nationals is seeking non-Japanese chefs and cooking school students to compete in the Washoku World Challenge 2013.

The competition aims to identify talented foreign cooking school students who are engaged in the art of Japanese cuisine, while also promoting the unique appeal of Japanese food.

Organised by Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, the theme of the competition is "healthy eating", building on the perception that Japanese cuisine is loved around the world because its health qualities and low-calorie content.

The results of the preliminary contest will be announced on November 11, with roughly ten dishes selected for the actual competition.

At the awards ceremony scheduled for early December 2013, the Grand Prize winner will be presented with one million yen (US$10,169) in prize money, while all finalists will have the opportunity to dine with some of Japan's top chefs at renowned Japanese restaurants. -VNS