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Extraordinary Young Culinary Talents

Extraordinary Young Culinary Talents

Young Culinary Talents

I Kadek Sumiarta
Winner Disciples Escoffier Young Talent Indonesia 2022

Born in Bali, Kadek Sumiarta honed his culinary skills as a Commis 1 at Koral Restaurant. As part of The Apurva Kempinski Bali's commitment to nurturing young talent, Kadek further refined his skills through culinary training in France and was recognised through numerous competition wins, including becoming the first-ever Disciples Escoffier Young Talent's Competition in 2022, representing Indonesia in the Asia Pacific Regional selections in 2024, conquered the world stage and claimed third place in the prestigious global Young Talents Escoffier competition held in Paris in 2024. This remarkable achievement is accompanied by an additional special prize for his efficiency in waste and water management, energy control, and mastery of technical gestures during the competition.

Discover Kadek Culinary Journey

 

Nara Iswara
Winner Disciple Escoffier Young Talent Indonesia 2024  

Winner of the Disciple Escoffier Young Talent Indonesia 2024, Nara Iswara has built his culinary career over six years, starting from a high school program and a one-year focus on Food and Beverages. Beginning as a culinary intern in 2018, he quickly rose to Commis, earning a Silver Medal at the Bali Salon Culinaire in the Hot Cooking fish category and securing his win in the Young Talents Disciple Escoffier 2024 for Indonesia. This success propelled him to the Young Talents Escoffier Asia Pacific 2025 competition in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on 21 October 2025, where Nara Iswara was honoured in the cuisine category. Competing against the region's best, Nara impressed the judges with a masterful reinterpretation of a classic Escoffier menu; duck ballotine with turnips, autumn bicolor flan, and pommes dauphines in a rich jus by incorporating local Vietnamese ingredients, demonstrating his ability to blend traditional French haute cuisine with local terroir. Leading up to the competition, Nara honed his skills and creative vision under the guidance of the resort's celebrated culinary team, which includes Chef Jean-Yves Leuranguer (Meilleur Ouvrier de France Cuisine 1996), Chef Yoann Mathy, and Chef Ho Weng Kit (Bocuse d'Or winner).