A Triumph at Kunstkring

Tugu Hotels, Indonesia’s iconic hospitality group, create astonishing hotels and restaurants based on Indonesian and Asian Heritage, usually jammed with antiques, works of art and stylish decorations, so the choice of the splendid Kunstkring in Menteng for this special occasion was extremely appropriate as its grandeur fitted the ancient ceremony of induction into the Chaine Membership perfectly. The other important aspect of this selection was that the menu was one hundred percent Indonesian cuisine, something that we had not experienced all year, and as the Bailliage of Indonesia’s capital city, we felt it was important to have at least one dinner a year celebrating Indonesia’s best dishes.

So the Jakarta committee of Gilles Marx, Fabrice Mini, Bon Yanuar and Alistair Speirs sat down with Tugu’s Andy Guy and Bianca to create a menu of real Indonesian dishes and match them to wines that would capture and enhance their flawours. This is what emerged….. Canapé Karedok Wrapped in Rice Cracker Asparagus Spears with Fish in Clear Tofu Turmeric Carambola Broth Crab Satay on Sugar Cane Gustave Lorentz/Crement d’Alsace Brut NV Appetizer Tahu Kembang Jenar Crispy tofu skin stuffed with vegetable, scallop and prawn mixed with Indonesian traditional sauce Umamu/Estate Semillon Sauvingon Blanc 2007

Salad Urap – Urap Rumput Laut dengan Kacang Kedelai Putih dan Udang Rebon Seagrass salad with prawn, white soyabean and “rebon” shrimp Gustave Lorentz/Gewurztraminer Altenberg De Bergheim 2008 Soup Soto Empal Gentong Tender beef in turmeric coconut soup, cooked over woodfire Juris/Pinot Noirs Selection 2013  Main Course Bebek Betutu dengan Sayuran Bumbu Sambal Matah Kalas Kancang Panjang Slices of stuffed “Bebek Betutu” served with “Sambal Matah” vegetable and string bean First Drop Wines/Fat of The Land Seppeltsfield Shiraz 2008

Dessert Colenak Van Kunstkring Grilled fermented cassava with palm sugar, young coconut and topping with granola Accompanied with coconut ice cream Late Harvest: Montes/Late Harvest Gewurztraminer 2013 Tea or Coffee The evening started with the induction ceremony conducted by Bailli Delegue Firdaus Siddik as investing officer, assisted by the Bailli Provincial Jakarta and other Jakarta Council members. A total of nineteen people were either promoted to more elevated positions or inducted as Chevalier or Dame de la Chaine. They were as follows: Promoted as councillers: Petty Elliott Vice Conseiller Culinaire, Jkt Sud Marx Gilles Conseiller Gatronomique, Provincial Noke Kiroyan Vice Conseiller Gastronomique, Jkt Nord Farah Quinn Vice Conseiller Gastronomique, Jkt Sud Linda Tan Bailli Regional, Jkt Sud Roy Widosuwito Bailli Regional, Jkt Nord Bob Yanuar Charge de Missions , Provincial Sezai Zorlu Vice Conseiller Culinaire, Jkt Nord

The evening started with cocktails and canapes in the elegant Suzi Wong bar then continued in the elegant main dining room served by the talented and attentive Kunstkring service team who also entertained guests with a welcome dance during the service of the appetizer. There were speeches by Firdaus Siddik as Bailli National and Lilian Khaw who formally handed over the Jakarta Bailliage to Alistair Speirs. Overall guests were very impressed with the food, with top marks going to the “Soto Empal Gentong”. The “Bebek Betutu” however was not as well appreciated, but was more than compensated by the accompanying wine “First Drop/ Fat of the Lend Seppeltsfield Shiraz 2008” which was considered an absolute winner. To top off the evening the talented opera singer Valentina, accompanied by pianist Fero Aldiansya performed four delightful songs, and the guests went home replete and in full holiday mood. For more information on La Chaine des Rotisseurs go to www.chaine-indonesia.org or email tochainejakarta@gmail.com