Ipponbouchou Mantarou (1991)

Original title: 一本包丁満太郎

The son of a local grub shop is goaded by his father into seeking his fortune as a chef. He attracts the attention of powerful culinary forces as well as rivalry (and potential love interest) from the female descendant of a legendary cooking family. He engages in competitions to prove his prowess and improve his skills, finding unique and novel solutions to the problems that face him.