Who is Akiko Pape?
As a certified instructor, she focuses on giving their students from all over the world a unique and authentic experience of the Japanese cuisine.
Akiko was born and raised on a farm north of Sendai, Japan, where she developed a passion for cooking from a very early age. By the age of seven, she was already preparing meals for her family, learning traditional Japanese recipes and principles rooted in the abundant use of vegetables and whole foods to create hearty and nourishing dishes. Over the next 15 years, she diligently mastered her family’s culinary traditions, which continue to inspire her approach to food today.
After moving to Canada, Akiko spent a decade in Vancouver, where she met her future husband and launched “BentoYa Catering,” a project dedicated to bringing authentic Japanese flavors to a new audience. Following her return to Japan, she settled near Tokyo and reconnected with her roots while exploring new ways of sharing her love for healthy, sustainable, and plant-based cuisine.
It was during this time that Akiko met her business partner, Rina. Sharing the same vision, they founded Bentoya Cooking School, a space dedicated to teaching plant-based Japanese cooking. The name “BentoYa” reflects their philosophy: “bento” refers to the cherished Japanese tradition of a lovingly prepared boxed lunch, while “ya” means “place” or “shop.” Together, BentoYa represents a home for healthy, delicious, and thoughtfully prepared meals.
