Annissa Wulan
May 06, 2025
Archipelago Black Box Battle is back in Yogyakarta. This culinary competition aims to test the creativity and skills of chefs and F&B staff from the Archipelago hotel chain.
Archipelago Black Box Battle is designed to develop unique culinary creations using mysterious ingredients
Archipelago Black Box Battle is designed to develop unique culinary creations using mysterious ingredients that will only be revealed when the event takes place, and this is the hallmark of the Black Box challenge. Black Box Battle 2025 was attended by 15 hotels in Yogyakarta, Solo, Semarang, and Rembang.
There were 15 chefs and 14 F&B staff competing to show their talents in making dishes and drinks. Through this competition, the winner can get a trophy from Charles Brookfield for first place, a trophy from John Flood for second place, and the title of "Favorite Winner" for third place, as well as cash and gifts from sponsors.
"This event is not just a competition, but also a place to learn and get inspiration among culinary professionals. Archipelago Black Box Battle aims to help participants perfect their techniques and develop their skills to creatively process unfamiliar ingredients," said Winston Hanes, Senior Vice President of Operations of Archipelago.
The Beverage Battle competition was held at Royal Malioboro by Aston, where F&B staff were challenged to create beverage creations using secret ingredients, namely basil, jasmine tea, and kedondong. Meanwhile, the Food Battle competition was held at Neo Malioboro Yogyakarta, where chefs competed to create delicious and innovative dishes using secret ingredients, namely chicken, pumpkin, tamarind, and cinnamon.
"It is an honor for us to be able to host the Archipelago Black Box Battle. This event can also be an opportunity for hospitality talents to develop, innovate, and show their best abilities. We hope this event can inspire all participants to raise the bar in terms of culinary and service," said Vera Indah Pratiwi, Cluster General Manager of Royal Malioboro by Aston & Neo Malioboro Yogyakarta.
To maintain high standards of assessment, the panel of judges consisting of Yohanes Sulistiyono Hadi as Corporate Regional General Manager of Archipelago, Chef Denny Frederick as Corporate Executive Chef, Denny S. Wasana as Corporate F&B Manager, and Sari Kusumaningrum as Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Public Relations, evaluated each creation based on creativity, technique, taste, and presentation by international standards.
The following are the winners of the Food Battle category:
1. First Place: Domas Muhammad Pilar from favehotel Malioboro
2. Second Place: Winarno from Aston Solo Hotel
3. Third Place: Bayu Kusuma from The Alana Hotel and Conference Center Malioboro
The following are the winners of the Beverage Battle category:
1. First Place: Andi Izzaudin Mahendra from The Alana Yogyakarta Hotel and Convention Center
2. Second Place: Hanif Anshori from The Alana Solo Hotel and Conference Center
3. Third Place: Andryan S. from The Alana Hotel and Conference Center, Malioboro.
"I felt challenged because we had to cook with ingredients that we had never known before. It pushed us out of our comfort zone. I hope Archipelago continues to create opportunities like this so that we can continue to grow," said Domas Muhammad Pilar.
"I am very grateful and relieved for today's achievement, especially after preparing for it for the past month. I also hope Archipelago continues to grow and become more innovative in the future," added Andi Izzaudin Mahendra.