Archipelago Black Box Battle 2026 Supports Young Talent

Archipelago Hotels Supports Young Talent and Creativity 

Through Archipelago Black Box Battle Young Chef & Barista 2026

15 finalists across the Young Chef, Young Pastry, and Young Barista categories recreate their signature creations using secret ingredients hidden inside the black box

Archipelago Hotels successfully hosted Archipelago Black Box Battle Young Chef & Barista 2026 on 19 October 2026 at Aston Bogor Hotel & Resort. The competition brought together young talent from across the Archipelago Hotels network in Indonesia across three categories: Young Chef, Young Barista, and Young Pastry. It provided a platform for participants to showcase their creativity, technical skills, and potential in the culinary and beverage industries.

More than 260 participants from various Archipelago Hotels properties across Indonesia took part by submitting audition videos featuring their culinary and beverage creations. Each video was evaluated based on ideas and concepts, techniques and preparation methods, work planning and preparation, hygiene, final presentation, and ingredient selection and utilization. Following the selection process, 15 finalists were chosen, with five participants from each category, to compete in person in Bogor. The finalists represented various regions across Indonesia, including Jabodetabek, Banten, West Java, Central Java, East Java, the Riau Islands, and Bali.

During the competition, finalists were challenged to recreate and develop the dishes or beverages they had presented in their competition videos, incorporating secret ingredients found inside the black box. Working within a set time limit, participants had to demonstrate creativity, technical expertise, and adaptability to produce their best creations.

A Test of Creativity and Skills

In the Young Chef category, participants were challenged to prepare one main course within 60 minutes using secret ingredients consisting of spring onions, chicken liver, and spring chicken. In the Young Barista category, participants were given 30 minutes to craft one beverage using secret ingredients consisting of coffee beans, oranges, and pineapple. Meanwhile, in the Young Pastry category, participants were challenged to create one dessert within 40 minutes using raspberries, yogurt, pistachio paste, and pistachios.

Throughout the competition, the judging panel evaluated participants' creations based on taste, final presentation, and their ability to process and combine the secret ingredients. The assessment also covered preparation and workflow organization, hygiene, and technical skills in completing the challenges within the allotted time.

Selected Young Talent and Judging Panel

More than 260 competition videos were received from participants across the Archipelago Hotels network in Indonesia. Following a selection process, 15 finalists were chosen to compete in three categories: Young Chef, Young Barista, and Young Pastry. The finalists represented various regions across Indonesia, including Jabodetabek, Banten, West Java, Central Java, East Java, the Riau Islands, and Bali.

Young Chef Finalists

1. Amirul Arief Maulana – Aston Bojonegoro City Hotel

2. Cahyo Wicaksono – fave hotel Manahan Solo

3. Hari Adi Saputro – Harper M. T. Haryono Jakarta

4. I Komang Kartana – Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center

5. I Wayan Putra Agastia – Hotel Neo+ Kuta Legian

    

Young Barista Finalists

1. Agung Lianto – Aston Sidoarjo City Hotel & Conference Center

2. Hadi Setia Nugraha – Aston Serang Hotel & Convention Center

3. I Putu Wira Sanjaya – Aston Canggu Beach Resort

4. Rina Nurhalisa – Nawana by Alana

5. Ryan Nikko – Aston Batam Hotel & Residence

    

Young Pastry Finalists

1. Ade Galang Pratama – Aston Malang Hotel & Conference Center

2. Angga Nugraha Saputra – Aston Serang Hotel & Convention Center

3. Arum Bil Mauidhotil Hasanah – Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center

4. Wijayanto – Aston Cirebon Hotel & Convention Center

5. Yulinda Tyarani Sunoto – Aston Bogor Hotel & Resort

    

The competition was judged by a panel comprising Winston Hanes, Senior Vice President of Operations; Sari Kusumaningrum, Senior Director of Corporate Communications & PR; Denny Wasana, Corporate F&B Manager; A. S. Windoe and Denny Frederick, Corporate Executive Chefs; and Risman Sukmawan, Corporate Pastry Chef at Archipelago Hotels.

“Great chefs and baristas are developed through experience, creativity, and a willingness to keep learning. The Archipelago Black Box Battle Young Chef & Barista 2026 is about giving our young talent the opportunity to challenge themselves, think differently, and show what they can do. By encouraging healthy competition and fresh ideas, we’re not only developing the next generation of hospitality professionals but also raising standards and driving innovation across Archipelago Hotels,” said John Flood, CEO of Archipelago Hotels

Recognizing Winners and Future Talent

Following a series of challenges and the judging process, the winners of Archipelago Black Box Battle Young Chef & Barista 2026 were announced in three competition categories as follows:

Young Chef Category Winners

• 1st Place: I Komang Kartana – Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center Receives the Charles Brookfield Trophy, a medal, and a cash prize.

• 2nd Place: Amirul Arief Maulana – Aston Bojonegoro City Hotel Receives the John Flood Trophy, a medal, and a cash prize.

• 3rd Place: Hari Adi Saputro – Harper M. T. Haryono Jakarta Receives the Favorite Winner Trophy, a medal, and a cash prize.

   

Young Barista Category Winners

• 1st Place: Ryan Nikko – Aston Batam Hotel & Residence Receives the Charles Brookfield Trophy, a medal, and a cash prize.

• 2nd Place: I Putu Wira Sanjaya – Aston Canggu Beach Resort Receives the John Flood Trophy, a medal, and a cash prize.

• 3rd Place: Agung Lianto – Aston Sidoarjo City Hotel & Conference Center Receives the Favorite Winner Trophy, a medal, and a cash prize.

   

Young Pastry Category Winners

- 1st Place: Arum Bil Mauidhotil Hasanah – Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center

Receives the Charles Brookfield Trophy, a medal, and a cash prize.

- 2nd Place: Ade Galang Pratama – Aston Malang Hotel & Conference Center

Receives the John Flood Trophy, a medal, and a cash prize.

- 3rd Place: Angga Nugraha Saputra – Aston Serang Hotel & Convention Center

Receives the Favorite Winner Trophy, a medal, and a cash prize.

Archipelago Hotels congratulates all the winners on their achievements and extends its appreciation to all finalists for demonstrating creativity, dedication, and skill throughout the competition.

The competition is also supported by PT Architama Catu Nusa as a sponsor. Archipelago Hotels expresses its appreciation for the sponsor’s support and collaboration in making Archipelago Black Box Battle Young Chef and Barista 2026 a success.

Through Archipelago Black Box Battle Young Chef & Barista 2026, Archipelago Hotels continues to nurture young talent by providing opportunities to sharpen skills, explore creativity, and gain recognition for their potential. The competition also reinforces Archipelago Hotels' commitment to developing a competent and innovative workforce that is ready to contribute to the growth of the hospitality industry.

Booking Information & Social Media For more information and reservations, 

please visit: Website: www.archipelagohotels.com 

Instagram: @archipelagointernational (https://www.instagram.com/archipelagointernational)

TikTok: @archipelagohotels (https://www.tiktok.com/@archipelagohotels)