CJWDT: UK'14

10/27/14-10/30/14: Boulogne-sur-Mer, France

Caution: coming story is little long and nothing culinary, some story with Bull shit immigration!!

Start with old story:  I flew to UK back in 2010, my first CJWDT.  But I was rejected my entry by British immigration due to unable to present return ticket + discovery of my resume/knives/chef jackets in my backpack.  They stamped 'cross' on my passport, but I never took that as serious issue since it was not 'illegal' act, nothing like carrying drug or staying the country past the limit.  Yes, it is "just" common small mistake, I THOUGHT.

On 2012 I attempted fly to Ireland this time with outbound ticket(ferry ticket to UK).  REJECTED due to my past record.  The Irish immigration told me surprising information,  -I was not allowed to entry Ireland/Uk from any European countries unless I flew from home country(this case U.S.A.) with return ticket until 2015(5yrs from 2010)!!  'Just' because I tried to get in UK with one way ticket before!!  Jesus crisis....  I mean all other Euro immigrations and many others in Asia/S.America don't care if I have outbound ticket!!  WTF problem, UK!???

I can say Bull-shit, oops.... British immigrations is the worst immigration out of 60 immigration I ever come across!!  Fine.... I have secret weapon on my sleeve, Japanese passport!!(*I'm dual citizen)  Year 2014 I attempted to get in UK by ferry(ppl say easier to get in than airway) with my  Japanese passport which don't show my 'crime' record.  I got bank record, copy of hostel reservation, outbound ticket.... 'should' be no problemo!  Set up some trials in London, many restaurants are interested to meet me... I MUST get in successfuly...

@the immigration:  "Have you ever rejected to entry UK/Ireland before?"  "!!... NO"  Yes, I lied but 1. if I say yes, they know my record and will reject anyway probably(Due to Irish immigration).  2. How many ppl come to UK, they can't know it's me(American CJ)  The immigration say "give me a second" and went to somewhere....   ....... I had VERY BAD FEELING.  Am I on the black list?  The immigration told me "U LIED, we have record back in 2010!"  I figured..... must be because of my name "Tadateru Tokudaiji"(*Veryx2 unusual/unique name) which I believe only exist ONE on this planet as long as I/my friends know.  ........ Wish my name is Ichiro Suzuki or something, they should be hundreds....

The officer escorted me to the office, asked me many many question.  I explained my situation "Sorry to lie, but because Irish immigration told me I can't get in if you guys know my past record.  I have knives in my backpack because I'm world stagire / chef volunteer to learn.  I have been doing this, have blog to prove my activity.(THIS)  I have outbound ticket  to prove I'm leaving in 3 weeks.  I have the appointments to stage, please let me in!!"

The officer said "We can't allow you to entry.  You must have 'volunteer visa' to volunteer and need to get sponsored for it.  Sorry." and stamped on "X" on my Japanese passport as well, double cross on my two passport(Pic on the top), must be very unique/a bitter smile.  -------MISSION FAILED------The bull-shit, oops.... British immigrations throw me out on the border town of France, Calais.  I was keep contacted by many restaurants in London afterwards(eventually total of 10!!), but I have to give up everything.(The only solution I have would be fly from JP/U.S. with return ticket)  ....(Sigh) this is SO ducked up!!  UK hate me PERIOD!  The below is the information I would share from my research.

UK restaurants:
London
http://www.fivefieldsrestaurant.com/
http://www.typingroom.com/welcome/
http://feraatclaridges.co.uk/
http://www.greenhouserestaurant.co.uk/greenhouse.htm
http://www.texture-restaurant.co.uk/index.asp
http://www.nunomendesholdings.co.uk/
http://www.hibiscusrestaurant.co.uk/
http://www.theledbury.com/
http://thecloveclub.com/ 
http://townhallhotel.com/corner_room/
http://www.hedonerestaurant.com/
http://www.kitchentablelondon.co.uk/
http://www.martin-wishart.co.uk/restaurant-martin-wishart/menus.aspx