Juliana Siahaan
Sep 29, 2025
CHEFS AND F&B SERVICES PROFESSIONALS FROM EAST AND CENTRAL JAVA COMPETE IN THE 15TH ARCHIPELAGO BLACK BOX BATTLE
As part of its ongoing commitment to elevating culinary standards across its hotel network, Archipelago—the largest hotel management company in Southeast Asia—once again presents the Archipelago Black Box Battle, held at Aston Sidoarjo City Hotel & Conference Center on 15 September 2025.
This competition brings together 18 chefs and 18 F&B Service professionals from various Archipelago hotels across East and Central Java, each challenged to transform mystery ingredients from a sealed black box into exceptional creations. Participants in the food category are given 60 minutes to prepare their dishes, while the beverage category competitors have 30 minutes to craft their drinks. Through this initiative, Archipelago continues to nurture and sharpen the skills of its culinary talents to deliver outstanding food and beverage experiences for every guest.
“We are proud to once again present the Archipelago Black Box Battle, especially by involving some of the finest talents from our hotels across Java. This competition is not only a showcase of culinary and mixology skills, but also a reflection of Archipelago’s commitment to providing a platform for chefs and F&B Service professionals to grow, innovate, and deliver exceptional culinary and service excellence to our guests,” said Winston Hanes, Vice President of Operations Archipelago.
In this competition, the chefs were tasked with preparing secret ingredients such as squid, shrimp, milkfish, rice paper, nori, and miso paste, while the F&B Services participants had to create beverages using key ingredients including matcha powder, pineapple, and ginger.
Food Category Winners
First Place: Muhammad Zainuri from Aston Inn Jemursari – Winner of the Charles Brookfield Trophy and cash prize
Second Place: Guntur Ari Prakoso from fave hotel Rungkut Surabaya – Winner of the John Flood Trophy and cash prize
Third Place: Josua Kevin Pratama from Aston Inn Batu – Winner of the People’s Favorite Trophy and cash prize
Beverage Category Winners
First Place: Irawan Wisnu from Hotel Neo Malioboro – Winner of the Charles Brookfield Trophy and cash prize
Second Place: Rezaldi Nuzul Fajri from Hotel Neo+ Waru - Sidoarjo – Winner of the John Flood Trophy and cash prize
Third Place: Sumardiono dari Quest Hotel Darmo Surabaya – Winner of the People’s Favorite Trophy and cash prize
The Archipelago Black Box Battle continues to highlight the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and excellence among the group’s F&B professionals, raising the bar for service standards in the hospitality industry. Archipelago congratulates the winners of the 2025 Black Box Battle from East & Central Java.
For more information, visit www.archipelagohotels.com and follow @archipelagointernational on Instagram.
