The Apurva Kempinski Bali, recognised as the home of some of the best restaurants in Bali, has secured four prestigious awards across Asia-Pacific culinary and beverage competitions this October 2025.
The five-star resort’s talented team members claimed top honours at the Young Talents Escoffier Asia Pacific 2025 in Vietnam, the Indonesia Best Sommelier Competition 2025 in Jakarta, and the Campari Red Hands APAC 2025 in Bali, reinforcing the resort’s position as a beacon of luxury and culinary excellence in Southeast Asia. These achievements highlight the exceptional training and mentorship programmes at one of Bali’s leading hotels, where emerging hospitality professionals develop world-class expertise in culinary arts, sommelier skills, and mixology. The victories span both national and international platforms, demonstrating the calibre of talent cultivated at this premier Bali beachfront resort.
Culinary Excellence Takes Centre Stage
I Wayan Nara Iswara was honoured in the cuisine category at the Young Talents Escoffier Asia Pacific 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on the 21st of October 2025. This marks the second consecutive year that The Apurva Kempinski Bali has represented Indonesia at the Asia-Pacific level, following I Kadek Sumiarta’s remarkable achievement in 2024. Sumiarta went on to represent Asia Pacific at the global finale in Paris, securing third place and earning the Special Sustainable Prize for his exceptional respect for ingredients and energy management.
Competing against top young chefs from across the region, Nara impressed judges with his duck ballotine accompanied by turnips, an autumn bicolour flan, and pommes dauphines served with a rich jus. This classic menu, drawn directly from Escoffier’s culinary bible, was masterfully reinterpreted using Vietnamese ingredients sourced from local rice fields—demonstrating Nara’s ability to honour traditional French haute cuisine while incorporating local terroir, a key challenge set by the Escoffier committee.
Under the mentorship of the resort’s award-winning culinary team—including Chef Jean-Yves Leuranguer (Meilleur Ouvrier de France Cuisine 1996), Chef Yoann Mathy, and Chef Ho Weng Kit—Nara refined his technical expertise and creative vision throughout the competition preparation.
Beverage Team Dominates National and Regional Competitions
The resort’s beverage professionals secured three additional accolades, beginning with a sweep at the Indonesia Best Sommelier Competition 2025 on the 20th of October 2025. Putu Egi Krisnawan from Bali Underwater Restaurant, Koral, was crowned champion, earning the honour of representing Indonesia at upcoming ASI (Association de la Sommellerie Internationale) competitions at both the APAC and world levels. I Kadek Widiarta from Reef Beach Club secured Second Runner-Up, marking his second consecutive year as a finalist.
At the Campari Red Hands APAC 2025 competition on the 20th of October 2025 in Bali, I Wayan Edi Arista from Reef Beach Club earned Second Runner-Up with his signature cocktail Pusaka Americano. The creation pays homage to Indonesia’s Majapahit heritage and the resort’s Powerful Indonesia to the World campaign, incorporating multi-sensory elements that engage all five senses. This achievement positions Edi for future collaborations with Campari Road Show events across the region.
“We are immensely proud of our team’s exceptional achievements on the international stage,” stated
Vincent Guironnet, General Manager of The Apurva Kempinski Bali. “Their success reflects our commitment to nurturing the next generation of hospitality leaders. As we prepare to launch our ninth dining venue, Teppanyaki Restaurant—which will join our portfolio that includes Koral, Izakaya by OKU, and our Chinese hot pot restaurant, Bai Yun—these awards underscore our dedication to culinary and beverage excellence. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the mentors who have guided these talented individuals to success.”