BANJARMASIN, ULTIMOPARADISO.COM – Archipelago International, the largest hotel management company in Southeast Asia, successfully organized the first Black Box Battle in 2024 at favehotel Banjarbaru. This cooking competition featured the participation of 9 top F&B leaders and 10 Executive Chefs from the South, Central and West Kalimantan.
The event held on January 29, 2024, provided a stage for all participants to showcase their skills. All of the participants are faced with the challenge of a secret main ingredient inside a black box provided, the executive chefs is challenged to create an exceptional food within 90 minutes time meanwhile the F&B leaders successfully have to make a special beverages within 30 minutes time only.
“We are pleased to have our very first Black Box Battle in Kalimantan. It’s been a while we have this competition in Java and now we are coming to Kalimantan to showcase the talented Executive Chefs of Archipelago International. We hope this event will also encourage them to discover more ideas in their cooking and bartending skills.” said Denny Frederick, Corporate Executive Chef at Archipelago International.
The winners of the Food Battle category are as follows: 1st place was awarded to Sandi Ismanto from Quest Balikpapan, winning the Charles Brookfield Trophy. 2nd place went to Harianto from ASTON Banua Banjarmasin, earning the John Flood Trophy. The 3rd place was secured by M Nawawi from ASTON Tanjung City Hotel, named the third winner.
The winners of the Beverage Battle category are as follows: 1st place was secured by Imam Saputra from ASTON Samarinda Hotel, winning the Charles Brookfield Trophy. 2nd place went to Dimas Sedya Caraka from favehotel Ahmad Yani, Banjarmasin, earning the John Flood Trophy, and Ahmad Bahruddin from Hotel NEO Palma Palangka Raya secured the 3rd place as the third winner.
“It is an honor for us, favehotel Banjarbaru, to host of the first Archipelago Black Box Battle in 2024 specifically ever in Kalimantan. As the host, we are pleased to welcome all of the participants and we also have prepared this event as best as possible, paying attention to every detail of the participants’ needs, so that all participants can compete effectively,” said Robby Purba, Hotel Manager of favehotel Banjarbaru as the host of this very first event in 2024.
The aim and objective of this event is to encourage and discover the creativity of the talented Executive Chefs and F&B Leaders in curating menu with unknown ingredients. With limited of time and unknown resources, the Executive Chefs and F&B Leaders are expected to make the best food and beverages they can make which meets the standard of Archipelago International’s.
“Archipelago International is thrilled to announce the successful organization of our next Black Box Battle event, a distinguished culinary challenge hosted this time in Kalimantan. This unique event has once again showcased the remarkable talent and creativity of our participants. Each contender was tasked with crafting innovative dishes and beverages using secret ingredients concealed within a mysterious black box. We extend our thanks to all participants for their commitment and passion for the culinary arts. Through this event, our aim is to inspire and challenge our Executive Chefs and F&B Leaders in Kalimantan, motivating them to excel and present the finest culinary creations possible. Archipelago International remains dedicated to fostering excellence and innovation in all of our hotels, celebrating the artistry that fuels our food and beverage industry.” said Winston Hanes, Vice President of Operations.
Archipelago International congratulates the winners of the Black Box Battle 2024.***
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