Iori Katakoa

Iori Kataoka is a certified sake specialist, the co-owner and director of operations, at Yuwa Japanese Cuisine in Vancouver. With over three decades in hospitality, she has helped shape Japanese dining in BC through ventures starting with Kitto on Robson (Best Cheap Eats Award by Vancouver Magazine), Zest (recognized wine pairing with Japanese cuisine by VIWF), and ShuRaku (Vancouver’s first sake bar). Iori strives for Omotenashi—Japanese hospitality, cultural leadership, and promoting sake and Japanese culinary traditions