Exclusive Interview with Yuda Bustara, Winner of Netflix’s The Maverick Academy

Eight aspiring chefs from across Asia competed on the show, produced by AR Asia Production. Debuting on November 8, the five-episode series is hosted by the “Demon Chef” Alvin Leung. The winner will earn a position as his apprentice and business partner. The contestants are chefs Jarupol Petpaesri, Yuda Bustara, Janessa Wong, Woody Simhong, Carl “CJ” Dy, Goo Goo Cyn, Stefan Poyet, and Pattayah Chaimongkol.

“During Covid, the regional culinary scene suffered a major setback, with many restaurants closing. The show was created to inspire chefs in the region to become their own entrepreneurs while equipping them with the best learning from the trade. That’s why, in addition to chefs Alvin and Eric, we brought in five renowned chefs from the region to serve as mentors. We’re also thankful to our seven regional sponsors for their support of this initiative, and we hope the IP and spirit can continue,” said Anne Chan, executive producer of the show.

Sponsored by Dusit Thani International, MasterCard, Makro, Lubuds, CPF (Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited), and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the show mixes fascinating elements of gastronomy, luxury, and innovation. Throughout the immersive series, the contestants are mentored by the best chefs in the industry: Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij (Potong), Chudaree “Tam” Debhakam (Baan Tepa), Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn (Le Du and Nusara), Chalee Kader (Wana Yook), and Michael Bonacini (celebrity chef and co-founder of Canadian fine-dining restaurant companies).

After facing rigorous challenges that tested their cooking skills, creativity, and business acumen, Yuda Bustara emerged as the winner of The Maverick Academy. With his progressive spin on traditional Indonesian dishes and a strong media presence, he now lives in Hong Kong, where he works with Alvin Leung at Bo Innovation. In December, he will take over LUMA, Mastercard APAC’s first concept restaurant at 1881 Heritage, for a three-month residency. There, Bustara will work closely with chef Kasey Chan as the executive chef of LUMA and Café Bau.

Interview with Yuda Bustara, Winner of Netflix’s The Maverick Academy

How did you end up on The Maverick Academy? Was there a casting call?
Yes, I was invited to join The Maverick Academy after going through a rigorous casting process. The producers were looking for chefs in Asia with unique culinary backgrounds and diverse experiences. I’m honored to be among those selected to represent Indonesia.

What do you have in common with the other contestants? Did you know any of them before meeting on the show?
All of us have diverse backgrounds, and we hope this new cooking show will redefine not only what it means to be a chef but also what it means to be a culinary entrepreneur. While I didn’t personally know any of the other contestants beforehand, our mutual love for food created an instant connection.

How long did it take to film the entire show, and where was it shot?
Filming took a month, and it was an intense but rewarding process. The show was shot in a state-of-the-art kitchen studio and Michelin-starred restaurants in Bangkok and Hong Kong, designed to bring out the best in us and create a thrilling culinary atmosphere.

Looking back, what was the best lesson you learned from participating in the show?
The best lesson I learned was the power of resilience—no matter how tough the challenge, staying focused and true to your passion and roots will always help you rise above it.

Follow Yuda Bustara on his journey at Instagram @yudabustara