Senzaemon Nakiri

Senzaemon is headmaster of Tōtsuki Academy and Erina's grandfather. Known as the "Gastric Godfather", he has the tendency of stripping his upper body when he eats a good dish. Despite his appearance and reputation, he is reasonable and gives accurate commentary and assessment for the food he tastes without being overly critical to the losers. Many years previously, Senzaemon and Gin noticed Jōichirō Saiba's critical condition at the start of a tournament, and took upon themselves some of the blame for pressuring Jōichirō into becoming mentally trapped in the creation of his dishes. Feeling Jōichirō's talent was beyond the tasks of the academy, Senzaemon freed his former student to travel abroad and learn independently, a proposal Jōichirō happily accepted, as well as Gin whom Senzaemon offered him as the head of resort planner as a mean to atone their sins to ensure no one will share a similar fate as what happened to Joichiro before. For a period thereafter, Senzaemon hired Jōichirō as his private chef. Six years ago, Senzaemon exiled his son-in-law, Azami, for abusing Erina with brainwashing, and turns out even worst and dangerous to rule the academy than Joichiro's previous ill-fate. Senzaemon became Erina's legal guardian and had Azami's name struck from the Tōtsuki records. However, in the year Erina enrolls in the academy, Azami returns and a majority of the Elite Ten vote to support Azami as headmaster, replacing Senzaemon. In the aftermath, Senzaemon revealed to Sōma that he advised Jōichirō to have him apply to the academy. Senzaemon remains active behind-the-scenes with Jōichirō, working through tips from informants to wrest control from Azami.