The 2019 United States of Umami Culinary Competition, sponsored by Ajinomoto Co., Inc. and the Umami Information Center, was held on November 19, 2019 in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. Young finalists from six major U.S. culinary schools who have won the primary in-school round gathered at the Culinary Institute of Charleston at Trident Technical College to go head to head finals.

A special feature of this contest was that the challengers should showcase dishes that take advantage of the umami flavor. The winner was given the opportunity to train in Japan.

Dr. Ninomiya, a director of UIC gave a lecture on umami to the students at each school in advance, and also gave a similar lecture to the top chefs who were the judges before the final round.