The Story
JCA’s Sushi Party – It's Raw!
The Japanese Cultural Association (JCA) will be presenting its annual cultural event, a revamped Sushi Party this Sunday, 16 November at 6:00 pm in the Chesapeake Rooms of the University Center.
While the obvious draw of Sushi Party is the sushi, JCA encountered unlikely competition with Dining Services’ new sushi offering and its employment of Ukrops sushi chefs. Junior Adriane Miller, JCA secretary and Food Committee Chair, addressed the contention.
“With easily available sushi in the University Center provided by the caterer JCA has used in the past, [we] decided to switch to a Japanese restaurant.”
This year, the sushi at the JCA’s annual party will be provided by Hayashi Restaurant, voted Best Asian Food for the month of October by Visitors to and Board of Managers of Best of Williamsburg. In addition, JCA members will be expanding the traditional menu by including miso soup, soba, and sushi prepared by the members themselves.
A change of caterer is not the only variation in this year’s Sushi Party.
According to JCA co-president junior Mimi Chen, “Sushi Party will be held in the UC with its more central location and better acoustics compared to Trinkle Hall.”
Last year’s Sushi Party held in the Campus Center’s Trinkle Hall also conflicted with the International Dinner hosted by the Language Houses that same Saturday. Seeking to avoid these conflicts, the event will be held later in the day from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Sunday, 16 November in the University Center’s Chesapeake Rooms.
Food is not the only attraction of Sushi Party. Audience participation will be mandated by skits and a series of game shows developed by seniors Christina Min and Rissa Obcemea. Challenges will include chopstick dexterity and tests of knowledge of Japan. One skit will feature music and spontaneity en route to describing the range of possible sushi origins.
Chen hopes that JCA’s new Sushi Party will attract those seeking “non-UC” and vegetarian friendly food while enlightening them as well.
“JCA wants Sushi Party attendees to go home feeling they’ve had a fun, tasty, Crazy JCA-style evening. Maybe they’ll even learn something new about Japan.”
Tickets will be sold in the University Center Lobby this week, Tuesday through Saturday, 12:00 to 2:00 pm and 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Tickets are $7.00 presale and $9.00 at the door. For more information about JCA and its Sushi Party, see the JCA website,