MANGUPURA, balitourismnow.com – These chefs are expertly creating new menus. They create concepts, prepare ingredients, and then combine them into delicious, healthy, high-quality, and beautiful dishes based on sustainable principles.
In a matter of minutes, they successfully create dishes that perfectly align with their pre-conceived concepts. As they prepare the dishes, the views are truly breathtaking. These creations are then served on beautifully, symbolically, and tastefully decorated tables.
This is the 2025 Cooking Competition Finals, hosted by the Bali Hotel Association (BHA) at The Westin Resort Nusa Dua on Friday, December 5, 2025. Ten chefs who won the previous preliminary rounds participated in the final round.
The finalists for the 2025 BHA Cooking Competition are Ayodya Resort Bali – I Ketut Pasek Adiantara, Conrad Bali – Dhiyo Mahardika, Four Points by Sheraton Bali Kuta – I Putu Sudana Putra, and Hard Rock Hotel Bali – I Wayan Balik Buda Arsana.
Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa – Komang Juliardana, Samabe Bali Suites & Villas – Muhammad Ikrom Bahri, The Trans Resort Bali – Kadek Ari Werdi, The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali – Usman Andrianto, Viceroy Bali – I Made Nalendra, and Wyndham Tamansari Jivva Resort Bali – Made Agus Satrya Wibawa.
The competition showcases the best chefs from leading BHA member hotels, showcasing exceptional culinary talent while championing the core principles of sustainability and responsible sourcing, shaping the future of Bali’s hospitality industry.
“This year’s theme, ‘Zero Waste, Full of Flavor,’ challenges the finalists to create Indonesian-inspired dishes using 100% local ingredients and implementing zero-waste techniques throughout the preparation, cooking, and serving stages,” said Franklyn Kocek, Chairman and Head of Safety & Security.
The General Manager of Four Points by Sheraton Bali, Seminyak, said that through this competition, chefs are encouraged to elevate traditional Indonesian flavors through modern, globally appealing interpretations that balance creativity with environmental responsibility.
“This approach aligns with the current Wonderful Indonesia brand message, which emphasizes sustainability, local heritage, and the rich culinary traditions of the archipelago,” said Franklyn Kocek.
A Platform of Excellence for Balinese Culinary Innovation
The 2025 Cooking Competition is one of the strongest reflections of what makes Bali’s hospitality industry extraordinary. “This competition brings together culinary creativity, cultural pride, and a shared commitment to sustainable tourism,” he explained.
Franklyn Kocek emphasized that chefs from BHA member hotels continue to inspire with dishes that honor Indonesian heritage while implementing responsible and future-oriented practices.
Distinguished Guest Jury Panel
The finalists will present their creations to a distinguished panel of judges evaluating taste, technique, sustainability practices, creativity, and overall impact.
The judges are Chef Marinka (Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur & Former Judge on MasterChef Indonesia and Junior MasterChef Indonesia), Chef Hendra Mahena (Chairman of the Indonesian Chefs Association), and I Dewa Ayu Diah Pradnya P, SS (Head of the Tourism Business Working Team, Bali Tourism Office).
Sustainability Exhibition: Strengthening Local Connections
In conjunction with the competition, there is the BHA Sustainability Exhibition, which showcases a selection of Bali’s leading sustainable producers and suppliers. This exhibition highlights the diversity of high-quality local products available on the island while creating a direct opportunity for hotels to build long-term partnerships with responsible local businesses.
“Our sustainability efforts are strongest when we collaborate with the communities around us,” said Ankit Airon, BHA Board Member & Head of Sustainability and General Manager of Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu.
Ankit Airon added that this event connects chefs and general managers with local producers, driving real change and supporting Bali’s transition to a more sustainable hospitality sector.
BHA Sustainability Vendor Directory Launch
During the luncheon, the BHA launched the BHA Sustainability Vendor Directory, a new industry resource connecting member hotels with vetted suppliers, service providers, and sustainable organizations.
This directory provides a platform for vendors to introduce their businesses, showcase their expertise, and support Bali’s hospitality sector in sourcing environmentally friendly, ethical, and locally produced goods and services. This initiative fosters collaboration and reinforces the BHA’s commitment to advancing sustainability across the island.
BHA Annual General Meeting & 2026 Chairman Election
Following the cooking competition, the BHA will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM), where the General Managers of its 171 member hotels will vote to elect the BHA Chairman for 2026. This annual leadership transition plays a key role in shaping the association’s strategic direction for the coming year.
Winners of the 2025 BHA Cooking Competition
After a detailed assessment, the panel of judges named Usman Andrianto from The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali, as the first place winner. Kadek Ari Werdi from The Trans Resort Bali and Muhammad Ikrom Bahri from Samabe Bali Suites & Villas were named second and third place, respectively. The favorite winner was Ni Kadek Dwik Anggreni from The Laguna, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. [buda]