APAC Young Culinary Talents

Culinary Excellence Takes Center Stage

I Wayan Nara Iswara was honoured in the cuisine category at the Young Talents Escoffier Asia Pacific 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on 21 October 2025. This marks the second consecutive year that The Apurva Kempinski Bali represents Indonesia at the Asia Pacific level, following I Kadek Sumiarta's remarkable achievement in 2024. Sumiarta went on to represent Asia Pacific at the global finale in Paris, securing third place and earning the Special Sustainable Prize for his exceptional respect for products and energy management. Competing against top young chefs from across Asia Pacific, Nara impressed judges with his duck ballotine accompanied by turnips, autumn bicolor flan, and pommes dauphines in rich jus. This classic menu, drawn directly from Escoffier's culinary bible, was masterfully reinterpreted using Vietnamese ingredients from the host country's rice fields - demonstrating Nara's ability to honor traditional French haute cuisine while incorporating local terroir, a key challenge set by the Escoffier committee.

Beverage Team Dominates National and Regional Competitions

The resort's beverage professionals secured three additional accolades, beginning with a sweep at the Indonesia Best Sommelier Competition 2025 on 20 October 2025. Putu Egi Krisnawan from Bali Underwater Restaurant, Koral was crowned champion, earning the honor of representing Indonesia at upcoming ASI (Association de la Sommellerie Internationale) competitions at both APAC and world levels. I Kadek Widiarta from Reef Beach Club secured 2nd Runner-Up, marking his second consecutive year as a finalist.

At the Campari Red Hands APAC 2025 competition on 20 October 2025 in Bali, I Wayan Edi Arista from Reef Beach Club earned 2nd Runner-Up with his signature cocktail ‘Pusaka Americano’. The creation pays homage to Indonesia's Majapahit heritage and the resort's ‘Powerful Indonesia to the World’ campaign, incorporating multi-sensory elements that engage all five senses. This achievement positions Edi for future collaborations with Campari Road Show events across the region.