Merlin Labron-Johnson, chef at the Michelin-starred Osip in Somerset, is set to collaborate with renowned Japanese chef Atsushi Tanaka from the Michelin-starred A.T restaurant in Paris. The exciting culinary event is scheduled for September 15 and marks the third installment of Osip’s acclaimed series, Osip Collaborates: Japan.
This series celebrates Japan’s finest culinary talents and highlights Merlin’s passion for Japanese cuisine and its profound influence on his Bruton-based restaurant. Previously, Osip hosted celebrated chefs Tetsuro Maeda of Txispa in the Basque Country and Endo Kazutoshi of Endo at the Rotunda in London. These dinners are supported by Estrella Damm and Mai Sake.
Atsushi Tanaka is known for his distinct, non-conformist gastronomic style, shaped by his extensive training at world-class restaurants including Pierre Gagnaire (Paris and Tokyo), Quique Dacosta (Alicante), Geranium (Copenhagen), and Frantzén (Stockholm). Since opening A.T Paris in 2014, Atsushi’s cuisine has been celebrated for its lightness and artistic presentation, which combines a poetic balance of flavors, colors, and textures.
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For this collaboration, both chefs will design the menu together on the day of the event, inspired by ingredients freshly harvested from Osip’s own farms. The menu will showcase a fusion of traditional Japanese fine dining precision and elegance with Merlin’s hallmark focus on provenance, seasonality, and hyperlocal produce led by delicate, ingredient-focused cooking.
The Osip Collaborates: Japan series will conclude on December 8 with a final dinner featuring Kanji Kobayashi of Villa AiDA, a restaurant famed for its “garden gastronomy.” Like Merlin, Kanji grows nearly all the vegetables served at Villa AiDA on-site, emphasizing a shared dedication to Japanese culinary culture and seasonal, hyperlocal ingredients. This will be Kanji’s first UK collaboration.
Reservations for the Osman Collaborates: Atsushi Tanaka event will open on Friday, August 22, with seating available at 6:00 pm, 6:45 pm, and 7:45 pm. The menu is priced at £195 per person, with the option of supplementary drinks pairings.