In 2018, Watanabe brought Freitas to Japan to speak at a conference she'd organised on the island of Hokkaido. One of only a few foreigners and the only woman to present, the Galician chef regaled the audience with tales of her team, her producers and her beloved homeland, a memory that stands out for Watanabe. "In Japan, we love our country, but that kind of direct connection to a specific region is not seen here very often, and I think it's beautiful. Lucía's passion for Galicia gives her a lot of strength, and it supports the work she's doing."