Kronberg, June 26, 2025 – A magical summer for Japanese craftsmanship and culture: The book “SAKE: Mythos. Handwerk. Genuss.” (English title: SAKE – The Art and Kraft of Japan’s National Drink) by Yoshiko Ueno-Müller has been honored twice on the international stage. In Chicago, it received the prestigious James Beard Award in the category “Beverage without Recipes”, followed only days later by the Gourmand World Cookbook Award in Cascais, Portugal. These accolades mark the fourth and fifth major awards for the work, following the German Cookbook Award (Gold, 2024), the Swiss Gourmet Book Award (2025), and the Fortnum & Mason Drinks Book Award.
“Sake is a cultural treasure that unites respect, craftsmanship, and devotion,” says Tokyo-born author Yoshiko Ueno-Müller. “With this book, I wanted to make the soul of sake visible. My heartfelt thanks to the team at Prestel Verlag and everyone who contributed to this project!”
A Journey into Japan’s National Drink The book offers a comprehensive insight into the world of sake – from the main sake types and brewing methods to aromas, drinking traditions, and food pairings. Written with expertise yet accessible in style and accompanied by stunning photography, it is both educational and inspiring. With her now multi-award-winning book, Yoshiko Ueno-Müller presents a true labor of love – an invitation to understand and rediscover the millennia-old art of sake brewing. The work bridges Japanese aesthetics and European appreciation, combining craftsmanship with sensory storytelling.
Sake Samurai & Cultural Ambassador
As the first female Master of Sake Tasting, Yoshiko Ueno-Müller is dedicated to harmonizing European and Japanese palates. Together with her husband Jörg Müller, she founded UENO GOURMET in 2005 – a leading importer of premium sake with offices in Germany, the UK, and Switzerland (www.japan-gourmet.com).
“This year marks the 20th anniversary of UENO GOURMET,” says Yoshiko Ueno-Müller. “Receiving these incredible awards in 2025 makes me deeply proud.”
Beyond her role as entrepreneur, she is the founder of the Sake & Shochu Academy Europe and initiator of the Sake Pairing Contest, which has brought together more than 90 sommeliers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. She also teaches regularly at the Wine and Sommelier School of the IHK Koblenz and has been named one of the Top 50 Sommeliers in Germany by Busche Verlag every year since 2014. For her contributions to promoting sake culture abroad, she was honored by the Japan Sake Brewers Association Junior Council with the title “Sake Samurai.”
About the James Beard Awards
The James Beard Foundation celebrates culinary excellence and promotes a culture of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability. The James Beard Media Awards recognize outstanding food journalists and authors from around the world.
About the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Founded in 1995 by Edouard Cointreau, the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards honor the best food and wine books, printed or digital, as well as culinary TV programs from around the world. The award ceremonies are hosted annually in rotating international locations.
Sake Roadshow – 20 Years of UENO GOURMET
More information and event dates: www.japan-gourmet.com
Press accreditation: mystory@storybuilders.de
Photo credit: Jeff Schear / Getty Images for James Beard Foundation Download: https://app.air.inc/a/b8Dxjs9VB/b/4c8f1477-af6a-4546-bf23-fd561ff9bb2b
Recording (from minute 28): https://www.youtube.com/live/A4DjS-bgOK8
For press materials, photos, or tasting samples, please contact:
The Storybuilders
Steven Buttlar
Mobile: +49 (0)177 748 11 68
Email: mystory@storybuilders.de
