The much-anticipated French Gastronomy Week, titled “Le Goût de France - Cita Rasa Prancis, j'adore!”, successfully unfolded from October 1 to 13, 2024, across 150 restaurants throughout Indonesia. Organized by the French Embassy in Indonesia, the Institut Français d'Indonésie (IFI), and Business France Indonesia, this event showcased the rich tapestry of French cuisine while fostering cultural exchanges with Indonesian gastronomy.

With the participation of Chef David Gallienne, a Michelin-starred culinary talent from Normandy, the event drew significant attention. Chef Gallienne, who gained acclaim as the winner of the 2020 Top Chef France competition, embarked on a culinary journey through major cities, including Jakarta, Makassar, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya. His collaboration with local chefs for exclusive dinners and culinary demonstrations not only highlighted the richness of French culinary traditions but also celebrated Indonesia’s diverse spices and ingredients.

The event marked a continuation of last year’s success, which saw 120 restaurants engage in a delightful celebration of French cuisine. Throughout the thirteen-day program, various activities were organized, including exhibitions, discussions, workshops, and cooking demonstrations at numerous hotels, restaurants, and training institutes.

Several renowned French culinary institutions participated, with Le Cordon Bleu leading workshops and cooking demonstrations in vocational schools. Additionally, the Institut Escoffier launched a Training of Trainers (ToT) program at the Center for the Development of Quality Assurance in Vocational Education (BBPPMPV). This initiative, co-financed by the French Embassy, IFI, and the Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek), received positive feedback from participants eager to enhance their culinary skills.

A standout feature of the event was the public engagement through a French recipe competition hosted on Instagram. Cooking enthusiasts submitted their favorite recipes, and the top 10 finalists were invited to Jakarta to compete for a grand prize: a round-trip ticket to Paris, sponsored by Qatar Airways, along with financial assistance for a week-long trip and visa. The competition final, held at the MODENA Experience Center Suryo on October 12, 2024, was a thrilling highlight, showcasing culinary creativity and passion.

In addition to celebrating gastronomy, the week included a B2B program organized by Business France, fostering connections between Indonesian and French entrepreneurs and distributors.

The opening ceremony and press conference on October 1, 2024, attended by French Ambassador to Indonesia, East Timor, and ASEAN, H.E. Mr. Fabien Penone, and the President of the Disciples Escoffier Indonesia, set the tone for a week filled with culinary excitement and cultural exchange. Former participants of MasterChef Indonesia added to the celebratory atmosphere, engaging with chefs and participants alike.

French Gastronomy Week not only highlighted the culinary arts but also strengthened ties between France and Indonesia, showcasing the beauty of cross-cultural collaboration through the universal language of food. As the event concluded, the organizers expressed their gratitude to all participants and partners, looking forward to continuing this culinary dialogue in future editions.