Sweet Afternoon at Raffles Jakarta

In a city that rarely slows down, Raffles Jakarta invites guests to pause, take a seat, and rediscover the pleasure of an unhurried afternoon. This year, Raffles Jakarta marks a distinguished collaboration with Room4Dessert Bali, a celebrated destination from Ubud, as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening its Food and Beverage positioning. Sweet Afternoon at Raffles brings together award-winning pastry chef Will Goldfarb and Raffles Jakarta’s Executive Pastry Chef Putra Anom in an afternoon tea experience designed to be savoured with intention.

Founded by the Chef Will Goldfarb, in 2005 in Nolita, New York City, Room4Dessert was shaped by the intensity of the city’s culinary scene. Seeking a slower and more meaningful approach to creation, Chef Will relocated to Bali, where his philosophy evolved beyond indulgence alone. Today, Room4Dessert Bali is recognised as a destination where dessert is thoughtful, expressive, and deeply rooted in place.

Reflecting on the collaboration, Chef Will Goldfarb shares, “Room4Dessert aligns so naturally with Raffles because we are guided by the same values: tradition, heritage, quality, excellence, beauty in all its forms, and a shared belief in extraordinary hospitality.” This shared ethos is expressed through an approach that honours both craft and care.

Every ingredient is chosen with care. From chocolate to watermelon, each element is locally sourced and ethically cultivated, supporting farming communities across Indonesia. Kusamba sea salt from Bali’s shores meets fragrant vanilla from the mountains of Sulawesi, each ingredient carrying a story of origin, craftsmanship, and respect for nature. “If there is one defining principle behind our approach at Room4Dessert,” Chef Will adds, “it is our use of traditional wisdom, food as a way to heal, reconnect, and restore.”Rooted in the belief that food is best enjoyed when we understand where it comes from, this collaboration reflects Raffles Jakarta’s commitment to sustainability, freshness, and locally sourced ingredients. Each creation invites guests to slow down and reconnect with flavour, land, and tradition.

Chef Putra Anom reinterprets Chef Will Goldfarb’s island-born desserts through the artistic lens of Hendra Gunawan, shaped by shared experiences and expressed through vibrant colours and the fruits of the land. Beyond recreation, he thoughtfully reimagines the soul of each dessert, adapting it to the rhythm and sophistication of the city.

Signature Creations

1. Red

Where colour meets taste, Red reflects Chef Will Goldfarb’s long-standing fascination with harmony and similarity. Inspired by Hendra Gunawan’s ability to unite elements close to us, ingredients of the same colour are brought together to complement one another. From watermelon to rosella, from sour to sweet, the dessert celebrates balance through shared tones and layered flavours.

2. Pandanbert

An iconic creation from Room4Dessert, Pandanbert draws inspiration from sacred Balinese offerings and is reimagined in the refined style of Raffles Jakarta. Blending nature with elegance, this dessert transforms a cultural symbol into a composed, bite-sized expression of reverence and restraint.

3. Whiskey Torture Turgenev

Inspired by Haruki Murakami’s Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World and the writings of Ivan Turgenev, this creation finds its backbone in a single line: “If all men were to act as you advise, no one on earth would eat pineapples.” Grilled pineapple becomes the centrepiece, bridging literature, memory, and place. From two literary figures to a home of writers, the dessert draws inspiration from The Writers Bar, transforming the iconic lounge into a delicate sweet narrative.

4. Caramel Chocolate Crème Brûlée

Inspired by Chef Will Goldfarb’s hometown of New York City, this dessert brings a sense of comfort and familiarity. Reinterpreted together with Raffles Jakarta, it offers an evolving expression of indulgence that feels both nostalgic and refined, closing the experience on a quietly satisfying note.