Cooking with Chef Mandif Warokka: Mie Cakalang
Mandif Warokka is an honoured Indonesian Chef praised for his European and Asian cuisines. He describes his achievement today as a result of having embarked on his “long-term vacation”. He jumped from one country to another “stealing” recipes and opening his mind of world-wide kitchens. His Ubud fine dining establishment, Blanco par Mandif, is his
Impeccable Chaîne des Rotisseurs Chapitrre at Alila Seminyak
The invitation on the 25 June 2016 to AlilaSeminyak promised an extraordinary Chapitre de Bailliage de Bali Gala Evening in the ballroom of a luxury beachside resort, with a unique seven-course menu and delightful selection of fine wines. Nothing though could have prepared us for the evening of superb food and service excellence that was
A Grand Farewell for a Great High Priest
Many of the late pedanda’s disciples are wearing commemoratives t-shirts emblazed with the message ‘Death is life’s friend’. Balinese history is rich in celebrated Brahman high priests. All were great teachers and reformers, starting with RsiMarkandya, who introduced Brahmanism in the 8th century. At the beginning of the 11th century, EmpuKuturan united all of Bali’s
Amicale Lunch at Padma Resort Ubud
Chaîne members and guests escaped busy, balmy downtown Bali to enjoy the coolness and tranquilly in the highlands of Ubud. Through full length glass windows of the restaurant at the new luxury property, Padma Resort Ubud, the view overlooking over the lush valley and jungle beyond was spectacular. Guests mingled savoring mouthwatering hors d’oeuvres included
Calonarang Season – A Star is Born
Last month I let loose my handsome protégé Mustakim of Malang (East Java) on a string of Calonarang performances in exotic temples, to test his mettle (mettle-testing is my forte). He performed with flying colours. Calonarang are the popular spooky witch-dance dramas that that are held sporadically in Balinese village squares. They involve teams of
Bali’s Expat Beauty Warriors
Despite architectural hacks filling in every vacant lot — and a few not so vacant ones (green belts, for example) — with cheesy modernist schtick, it is to the work of a handful of die-hard traditionalists and classicists that the Balinese design world looks. Bali has a reputation as the cutting edge of tropical hotel
Jeunesse de Legian’s Kick off at Kilo
With the objective of reawakening culinary appreciation amongst younger members of society (below the age of 35), as well as to begin a process of education surrounding food, wine, dining and the Chaîne itself, an initiative was started by the Bailliage Regional de Bali, Indonesia, to begin a new ‘Jeunesse de La Chaîne des Rotisseurs’
World Chaine Day
This dinner was the celebration of World Chaine Day and was held at Sip. Located on the main street in Seminyak, Bali and being Saturday, the coming and going of curious tourists, party goers and other Saturday night revellers added to the excitement and anticipation of this special dinner. Guest were greeted with champagne and
Water Palaces in the Age of Rajas
The original water garden, built in 1901 on the site, was called Kolam Dirah. It had been used by the old raja for exorcism rites, but the municipal follies put an end to all that. Last month I was interviewed for a French cultural television documentary about the Taman Sukasada water palace of the last
Tale of Two Kingdoms
Many social observers (expat experts and such) falsely believe that the Age of Rajas is over in Bali. The truth is, the feudal nature of Bali and the pre-eminence of the nobility in civic government is still strong. In the mid-14th century, the prime minister of the Hindu-Javanese Majapahit Empire sent a young prince, Sri
Jeunesse de La Chaine: Awakening Culinary Appreciation
Since its revival in 1950, ‘La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs’ has grown to impressive numbers: 25,000 professional and non-professional members across 80 different countries on 5 different continents. Being the world’s oldest and most respected fine dining society, interest has simply exploded amongst those who respect the world of quality gastronomy. Through Chaîne events, innovation and
Clouds Gathering Over The Rainbow?
Developers screaming “culture neutral” is much more of a threat to the way of life than a Gay Pride parade It’s hard watching the mangroves of Benoa Bay disappear, bit by bit, as they are turned into heli-pads, cable ski enterprises and chain restaurants. They are the only green space left in South Bali and
Edible Audio Works ‘Flavour of Sound’
An intimate group, privileged foodies, gathered for the much anticipated event titled “Flavour of Sound” at Peppers, Seminyak Bali. The evening commenced rather mysteriously as we excitedly waited at the reception in Peppers to be transported, by buggy, to the Presidential Villa. Well-seasoned Chaine members and guests gathered, have wined, dined and enjoyed many styles of
