The Original Sushi Competition was founded as an attempt to combine the imagination and ingredients of the west with centuries of traditional Japanese cuisine to inspire a totally new sushi, a British sushi. Between 2001 and 2007, the search for the ultimate British sushi- the California Roll of the UK – was carried out. The only rule there's ever been is that entrants have to use vinegared sushi rice in their original sushi recipe. Everything else is entirely left to the imagination. The competition is back for 2012 - find out all about how to enter here. Find out all about what happened and which sushi creations triumphed below. You can also take a look at our archive of recipes.

2002

The search for a British version of the California roll – a perfect combination of Japan and the UK – was started, and in its first year, over 500 entries were received, and the winner was chosen by a panel of celebrity judges, including TV chef Lesley Waters and chef and food writer Henry Harris. The first ever Grand Winner of the Original Sushi Competition was Maggie Thurer with her Sushi Eggs Benedict. In the run-up to the Awards ceremony, held in February 2002, an Original Sushi Mini-Event was held at Henwick Primary School in Eltham, at which pupils had fun learning about and tasting sushi before being invited to enter the competition.

2003

In the second year of the competition, over 500 entries were again received as the British public again set to work thinking about new ways to enjoy sushi. The competition was accompanied by a tour of mini-events, in the International School of London, Le Cordon Bleu, Moshi Moshi Sushi Brighton and Hall School Wimbledon, spreading the message that sushi was about so much more than just a piece on raw fish on top of rice. At the Awards, a panel of judges including celebrity chef Ross Burden and chef and food writer Henry Harris, chose the Grand Winner: Miso Mozzarella Sushi by Chikako Aoki.

2004

The third Original Sushi Competition broke the record for entries, with over 600 received. In the run-up to the final event, a series of ‘sushi outreach’ events were again held, in London and Leeds, to teach people hands-on sushi-making skills. The competition was also given support by Aldo Zilli, who created some unique Italian sushi start dishes that were served at the launch event and at Zilli Fish Too during its Japanese Week. Aldo also joined the panel of judges for the Awards Ceremony, alongside Jean-Christophe Novelli and Henry Harris. The Grand Winner was Mushi Sushi by Kayleigh Mort.

2005

The fourth Competition again attracted approximately 600 entries, with the only condition, as always, being that contestants use Japanese sushi rice as the base of their dish. New for 2005 was the Photogenic Sushi Competition, which invited entrants to send in their photos of people enjoying sushi, and was won by Frederic Aranda, for his shot, ‘Let Me Try!'. The judging panel was again chaired by Jean-Christophe Novelli, and the Grand Winner was Crunchy Makizushi by Cynthia Awor-Ojera.

2006

604 entries were received in total for the fifth Competition, and the finalists were tasted by a panel of judges including Shirley Booth, Henry Harris and Jun Tanaka. The Original Sushi Competition was run in conjunction with the Eat-Japan World Sushi Awards. The Grand Winner of the Original Sushi Competition was Kani Kani Sushi by Jaturavit Saysena.

2007

In the Sixth Original Sushi Competition, the battle to gain a finalist place was again tough, with over 600 entries received in total. Standout entries were made up for the panel of judges, including Jun Tanaka and Henry Harris, and the panel plumped for the intricate flavours and textures of eventual Grand Winner, Peppered Mahi-mahi Tataki Zushi by Trevor Blythe.