Flavours of Nusantara: Bali Hotel Association hosts the 4th annual Sustainable Food Festival

The Bali Hotels Association (BHA) is hosting the fourth edition of its Sustainable Food Festival, held from 30 October to 10 November 2024. This year’s theme is Flavours of Nusantara, showcases Indonesia’s diverse culinary heritage through menus crafted with a focus on sustainable, locally sourced ingredients. The festival brings together BHA-member hotels across Bali to offer unique dishes, all prepared with local, organic ingredients that honour Indonesian cuisine’s rich flavours and traditions.

The event aligns with the association’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility, strongly emphasising reducing food waste and supporting Bali’s local farming community. Many of the participating hotels work closely with food rescue organisations like Scholars of Sustenance (SOS), ensuring that surplus food is redirected to people in need rather than wasted.

One of the highlights is the BHA Cooking Competition, which encourages chefs in non-managerial positions to showcase their culinary skills. The competition was held at Conrad Bali and featured live cooking rounds where chefs prepared dishes inspired by Indonesia’s traditional flavours using locally sourced ingredients. The competition’s winner, I Gusti Ngurah Triandhana from Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort and Spa, impressed judges with Asinan Ikan, Urutan and Babi Guling, a dish that exemplified the balance of flavours central to Indonesian cuisine. Other notable entries included The edge‘s Kadek Sunarsa’s Layur Mleko and Dwi Mahendra Saputra’s Sudang Lepet and Jukut Undis, which won second and third place, respectively.

The Sustainable Food Festival offers a chance for locals and visitors alike to enjoy innovative yet traditional Indonesian cuisine while supporting sustainable dining practices. By highlighting the work of local chefs, farmers, and food rescue organisations, the festival fosters stronger connections between Bali’s hospitality industry and its surrounding communities. With its dedication to sustainable practices, BHA continues to advance eco-friendly dining options that celebrate Indonesia’s culinary heritage and promote a responsible approach to food consumption.

Support Sustainable Food Festival’s participating venues by tasting the delicious and innovative ways they are incorporating sustainable practices into their menu.