JAKARTA, balitourismnow.com – Get ready for the sizzle, smoke, and showdown—Grill Master Indonesia 2025 is firing up this June with the most anticipated BBQ festival and competition in the country.
Held at Django’s Barlicious Texas BBQ, La Piazza, Kelapa Gading, Jakarta, on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 3–4, 2025, the two-day festival celebrated the bold spirit of grilling, smoking, and fire-based cooking with six of Indonesia’s fiercest chefs competing for the prestigious title of Grill Master 2025.
Django’s, the proud host of this event, is far from your average BBQ joint. This exclusive restaurant serves a wide variety of smoked meats inspired by authentic Texas and Mexican cuisine, featuring the largest BBQ smoker in Indonesia—nicknamed Terminator—which can smoke up to 1 ton of meat in a single process.
Backed by the signature “Low & Slow” technique and premium cuts of meat, Django’s delivers a true Texas culinary experience never before seen in Jakarta—and now it’s taking the national spotlight as the center stage for Grill Master Indonesia 2025.
This isn’t your average cooking show. Grill Master Indonesia 2025 pushes culinary limits with real smoke, roaring flames, and high-pressure outdoor challenges. It’s a head-to-head battle of endurance, flavor, and technique—culminating in a final flame-off for the grand prize of IDR 75 million in total.
In a four-episode, two-day format, each chef faces unique BBQ challenges:
- Episode 1 (June 3) – Burger Showdown
- Episode 2 (June 3) – The Brisket Battle
- Episode 3 (June 4) – Soul Food Melting Pot
- Episode 4 (June 4) – The Grill Master Showdown
The first-ever Grill Master Indonesia brought together a fiery lineup of culinary talent, including:
- Yulistyanto – Professional chef from Jakarta, known for his work at Le Quartier
- Muhammad Satria – Hobbyist from Tangerang, representing Pagi Sore
- Toni Hidayat – Regular cook from Cianjur, West Java
- Nuriman – Professional chef from Jakarta, representing Aged & Butchered
- Gema Mahatma – Professional chef from Bandung, representing Vong Kitchen
- Muhamad Jaini – Professional chef from Jakarta, representing The Garden Osteria
These six contestants battled it out in a blaze of fire, smoke, and skill for the coveted title of Grill Master 2025.
“I’m beyond excited to be part of Grill Master Indonesia 2025—but make no mistake, I’m here to win. Fire, smoke, and tough challenges are my world, and I’m ready to prove I’ve got what it takes to be the true Grill Master,” said one of the competing chefs, Yulistyanto.
A distinguished panel of judges brings credibility, refined palates, and global culinary expertise to Grill Master Indonesia 2025, led by none other than Chef William Wongso, Indonesia’s most respected culinary ambassador with over 40 years of experience promoting Indonesian cuisine worldwide.
Joining him are:
Chef Roberto Fiorinni – Italian-born head chef of Casa Alba Ristorante and Inferno The Grill. Former chef to the Saudi Royal Family and recipient of Asia’s Best Head Chef by the World Luxury Restaurant Awards.
Chef Sezai Zorlu – Founder and head chef of Turkuaz and Warung Turki, Iron Chef Indonesia, and a key figure in Jakarta’s Turkish and Ottoman culinary scene since 1999. His expertise earned him a spot as an Iron Chef on Iron Chef Indonesia, where he showcased his skills in various culinary battles.
Chef Vindex Tengker – A celebrated Indonesian chef and culinary consultant with over 30 years of experience. Known for his role as a judge on MasterChef Indonesia, he is famous for blending traditional Indonesian flavors with modern techniques.
Chef Werner Jaysons – Owner of Jaysons Meats and Executive Chef at Hotlicks Texas Barbecue & Bar, known for pioneering authentic Texas-style smoked BBQ in Indonesia.
Nanakoot as the guest judge – the biggest food blogger on social media in Indonesia. With more than 3 million followers, she is a celebrity when it comes to food.
“Grill Master Indonesia 2025 is raising the bar for culinary shows in Indonesia. It celebrates skill, passion, and technique in a way that truly honors the spirit of the grill,” said William Wongso commented on the event’s format.
“I’ve seen BBQ around the world, and what we’re doing here is something special. It’s raw, real, and full of flavor—this is how legends are made,” added Werner Jaysons.
In the final of Grill Master Indonesia 2025, held earlier today, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, the panel of judges officially crowned Nuriman, a professional chef from Jakarta representing Aged & Butchered, as the Grill Master 2025.
With precise techniques, impressive flavors, and exceptional consistency throughout the competition, Nuriman outshone his competitors. The Runner-Up title was awarded to Gema Mahatma, a professional chef from Bandung representing Vong Kitchen.
As the champion, Nuriman received a grand prize of IDR 50 million and an exclusive Grill Master trophy, while Gema took home IDR 25 million and a runner-up trophy, bringing a thrilling close to the hottest culinary showdown of the year. [bra]