Archipelago International, the largest hotel management company in Southeast Asia, proudly held the “Black Box Battle” event which is Archipelago International's flagship Food & Beverage (F&B) Program. The program invites F&B leaders, executive chefs and head chefs to participate and showcase their culinary skills in serving food and drinks with surprising ingredients. Archipelago Black Box Battle will feature a series of competitions held in various regions, including JABODETABEK, JOGLO SEMAR, West Java, East Java, and Bali.
The Black Box Battle event took place on Thursday, 15 June 2023, at The Alana Hotel & Convention Center - Solo. Participants in the Black Box Battle consisted of 16 F&B leaders and 14 Executive Chefs from the JOGLO SEMAR area. F&B leaders and Executive Chefs are enthusiastically invited to showcase their talents and join this exciting culinary event.
Through this program, Archipelago International wants to introduce and appreciate the talents of F&B professionals, so that they can hone their creativity and skills in processing food and beverage products. This competition is expected to show potential and also help create high quality food and beverage products, which in turn offer a potential menu that can be displayed in hotels under the auspices of Archipelago International.
This competition tested contestants to present their specialties using secret ingredients hidden in mysterious black boxes. This exciting twist tested their creativity, adaptability and mastery of taste.
Participants had the opportunity to showcasing their culinary skills and create innovative dishes and drinks that highlight the essence of Indonesian cuisine.
Black Box Battle promised to inspire an experience for both participants and spectators. Culinary aficionados can look forward to witnessing the extraordinary talents of F&B leaders, executive chefs and head chefs as they unveil their gastronomic creations in this one-of-a-kind event.
"We are very pleased to introduce the Black Box Battle program as part of Archipelago International's commitment to showcasing culinary excellence. This unique competition not only highlight the talent of F&B leaders and chefs, but also promote Indonesia's rich culinary heritage. We look forward to witnessing creativity and innovation which revealed as the contestants show off their skills with mysterious materials." said John Flood, CEO & President of Archipelago International.
The winner in the Food Battle category for 1st place was won by Chef Agus Supriyanto from ASTON Solo as the winner of the Charles Brookfield Trophy, 2nd place was won by Chef Muhammad Arif Ismaib from Quest Hotel Simpang Lima Semarang as the winner of the John Flood Trophy, and for 3rd place was won by Chef Firmansyah from Royal Malioboro by ASTON as the favorite winner.
The winner in the Beverage Battle category for 1st place was won by Irawan Wisnu Broto from Royal Malioboro by ASTON who won the Charles Brookfield Trophy, 2nd place went to Joko Susilo from favehotel Rembang as the winner of the John Flood Trophy, and 3rd place went to Oni Almuchlisun Putra from ASTON Inn Pandanaran Semarang as the favorite winner.
"This competition was very memorable for me. With the secret ingredients in the Black Box, it requires me to be creative with the skills I have. Today I made “Besengek Ayam Jantung Pisang” which was inspired by the village atmosphere, because my background is also from one of the villages in Wonogiri where this is a special food there. But I processed it so that it has a much more exclusive value with a more authentic taste" said Chef Agus Supriyanto from ASTON Solo, Winner of the Food Battle Category in the Black Box Battle at The Alana Hotel & Convention Center - Solo.
"Today was an extraordinary competition. We are required to make drinks that are unique and also interesting with ingredients we don't know about. Today there are corn, coconut milk, and ginger in the black box. I made a drink called “Secret Island” With corn as the main ingredient. I was inspired by the local people in Indonesia. Corn and Ginger usually be their option for food and beverage, that’s why i called it secret island. said Irawan Wisnu Broto from Royal Malioboro by ASTON, Winner of the Beverage Battle Category in the Black Box Battle at The Alana Hotel & Convention Center - Solo.
For more information, visit www.archipelagointernational.com and follow @archipelagointernational on Instagram.