“The flavor of Indonesian food is sensational. I am excited to try and recreate the dishes.”said Leonhard Kurz, restauranter (Leo’s Garden Restaurant) and one of the participants in the Indonesian Fun Cooking Class which was organized by the Indonesian Embassy in Windhoek Namibia in collaboration with Silver Spoon Hospitality Academy (SSHA) on Wednesday, April 5 2023.
Indonesian Fun Cooking Class is one of the efforts of the Indonesian Embassy in Windhoek to strengthen Indonesia’s gastrodiplomacy in Namibia. Around 10 people attended the event, ranging from food enthusiasts, restauranter, and a radio DJ.
The participants diligently followed the directions of Chef Terry Jenkinson from SSHA who demonstrated how to cook several Indonesian cuisines, such as, Pepes Tahu (Steamed Tofu cooked with banana leaves), Sate Ayam (chicken satay), Terong Balado (eggplant with chilli sauce), Nasi Goreng Kampung (fried rice), and Dadar Gulung (Sweet Coconut filled Pancake).
The participants said that they were satisfied with taking part in the Indonesian Fun Cooking Class and hoped that it would add to the variety of their dishes at home. “Having gone to Indonesia, tasting the delicious food and seeing how the flavors put together for the first time is so cool! Now I can finally cook Indonesian food and share the taste of Indonesia with my family.” said Whilzhan Gelderbloem, a radio broadcaster who participated in a media trip to Indonesia in 2015.
In the coming months, the Indonesian Embassy in Windhoek in collaboration with SSHA will organize Indonesian culinary promotions with an Indonesian Dinner on 31 May 2023 and an Indonesian Cooking Competition in July 2023.