A harmonious blend of flavors, elevating every dish into a joyous celebration of taste and culture

The second edition of French Gastronomy Week, "Le Goût de France - Cita Rasa Prancis, j'adore!" was held from October 1 to 13, 2024, featuring Michelin-starred French chef David Gallienne. This event was organized by the French Embassy in Indonesia, the Institut Français d'Indonésie (IFI), and Business France Indonesia, with the support of Disciples d'Auguste Escoffier.

This year, the event took place in 150 restaurants across Indonesia, including cities like Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, and Bali. Following the great success of the first edition, which involved 120 restaurants in 14 cities across eight Indonesian islands, this year's edition aimed to further expand the reach and presence of French gastronomy in Indonesia.

Introducing the Richness of French Cuisine

French Gastronomy Week aimed to introduce the richness and diversity of French cuisine, recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO since 2010. Through this event, cultural exchanges occurred with Indonesian gastronomy and products. Mardyana Listyowati, the Director General of National Export Development (Dirjen PEN), emphasized the importance of collaboration between the two countries in the culinary field to enhance the presence of French cuisine in the Indonesian market.

The event also included various engaging activities such as exhibitions, discussions, workshops, and culinary demonstrations involving hotels, restaurants, and training institutions throughout Indonesia.

Collaboration with Renowned Chefs

A key highlight of French Gastronomy Week was the arrival of chef David Gallienne, the winner of the "Top Chef France" competition in 2020. Chef Gallienne, who managed the Michelin-starred restaurant "Le Jardin des Plumes" in Giverny, traveled to several cities in Indonesia, including Jakarta, Makassar, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya. In addition to conducting culinary demonstrations, he collaborated with local chefs to create special dishes that blended French flavors with local ingredients.

Chef Gallienne's presence undoubtedly inspired local chefs and culinary enthusiasts to explore the richness of Indonesian spices and ingredients. "I was very excited to create new combinations that blended French cooking techniques with the uniqueness of Indonesian cuisine," Gallienne stated.

French Recipe Competition on Instagram

French Gastronomy Week also organized a French recipe competition on Instagram to engage the wider public. Anyone with a passion for cooking and a love for French cuisine could participate. The authors of the 10 best recipes were invited to Jakarta to compete for the grand prize of a round-trip Jakarta-Paris plane ticket supported by Qatar Airways, along with financial assistance for a one-week trip and visa processing. The announcement of the winners took place on October 12, 2024, at the MODENA Experience Center Suryo.

Encouraging Business Cooperation

In addition to culinary aspects, Business France organized a B2B program for Indonesian and French entrepreneurs and distributors as part of this event. This program aimed to encourage collaboration and product exchange between the two countries, opening new opportunities in international markets.

The opening ceremony and press conference for French Gastronomy Week took place on October 1, 2024, and were attended by the French Ambassador to Indonesia, East Timor, and ASEAN, H.E. Mr. Fabien Penone, as well as the President of Disciples Escoffier Indonesia. The presence of former MasterChef Indonesia participants and chef David Gallienne added to the excitement of the event.

With various engaging activities and international collaborations, French Gastronomy Week served as a bridge for food lovers to explore the diversity of flavors and rich cooking techniques from France, celebrating culinary and cultural richness, and making it a valuable moment in strengthening the relationship between France and Indonesia.

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