taste buds

I was invited to the Jakarta Culinary Festival Food Blogger's Dinner (yes food blogger.. i guess i'm sorta a food blogger as I'm a big fond of good food as well..) It was one of my the best dinner course I've had especially acknowledging the fact that I can't just order these dishes out of a regular restaurant. There were 7 chefs who each concocted a special dish for the course (more details coming along with photos). Not only that, the night was completed with useful tips on food photography and reviewing by
I'll save the rambling for later and for now, be prepared for some tongue worthy pictures ! :9

1# Cold Appetizer : Balinese Chicken Salad with Coconut Vegetables and Sambal Matah
By Fahmi Widarte (Corporate Chef of Rotaryana Prima)I'm never a fan of spice-full Balinese dishes but this chicken had just the right amount of spices and chilly to jump start my late night appetite. It wasn't too spicy either so I could enjoy it without hitting the water glass too often. [for those who don't know, i DONT eat spicy at all except Indomie instant noodles]


2# Hot Appetizer : Braised Wagyu Beef Cheek in Sweet Miso
By Hugo Adrian (Executive Chef of Blowfish Kitchen & Bar)Blowfish is one of my favorite spots in Jakarta and this particular menu represents how chef Hugo effortlessly combines Japanese and Western influences altogether. In a larger portion, this dish would definitely make an outstanding main course.


3# Soup : Authentic Sultan's Tomato Cream Soup
By Agus Ishermawan (Head Chef of Ismaya Catering)The word 'cream' freaks me out in a couple of ways. One: it reminds me of soggy baby food. Two: cream simply equals to a dollop of fatty acids running through my intestines. Since this is one of those special nights, I decided to give cream another try. And this orange soup definitely turned my heads. It was nothing like the gross cream I had in my head. Plus, there was a bit of foie gras which just made the soup even more mouth watering.


4# Pasta : Red Shell Pasta With Duck Ragout, Pine Nut and Rocket Salad
By Gianfranco Beltrame (Italian Chef de Cuisine at Casa D'Oro Hotel Indonesia Kempinski)There's a good reason why I'm not a fan of cream-based dishes (like the soup before). To add to my 'why I dislike cream list', creams make me full in a bad way at times. This pasta probably peaked out at the wrong timing. It is good on it's own, but not good after a creamy soup. It would be better if the duck ragout was served with a separate oil-based pasta on the side instead of having everything mixed in one bowl.


5# Fish : Chilean Sea Bass With Lee Kum Kee Ginger Oyster Sauce
By Sofyan Joshua (Technical Culinary Chef of Sukanda Djaya)The sea bass is something my grandpa would cook on a Sunday so this definitely suited my taste buds. It was a nice alternative from the western cooking we had for the past 3 courses. A little bit of bok choy compliments the ginger oyster sauce very well. Maybe I should try sizzling my bok choy with Lee Kum Kee next time...


6# Meat : Short Rib, Truffle Demi Glaze, Charcoal Oil, Glazed Carrots, Potato Hot Foam and Nuts Fake Cous Cous
By Ignacio Virgen Jimenez (Chef de Cuisine of Potato Head)
Another favorite from the night. The short ribs were grilled to perfection. Very soft and succulent, and even better when eaten with the side dishes. I could see this as part of the menu at Potato Head>



I had to leave for the dessert, Green Tea Cake Ala Tropicale by Rinrin Marinka (Artistic Chef) because it was pretty late and I've already had a long day. I heard it was really delicious from the new people I met at the dinner (ivan, desy, ruby, astrid, marisa, adhi, and natalia *sorry if i left out any names from the people I met in the evening, my grandma has a better memory than I do*). My other highlights from the night were the free flow wine and the lychee martini. I find the martini really nice and sweet and a great way to finish up my late night dinner course.
special thanks to Ismaya Group, Ezra from The Jakarta Post, Himawan Sutanto from Foodtography, Ivan Sielegar : founder of Goorme.com and all of the skilled chefs who have created the menu for the wonderful evening. I look forward to the next JCF anytime !

for my fashion-enthusiast readers, i hope you all liked my alternative-to-fashion post today ! like always, constructive critics are highly welcomed ! have a great weekend :)

 ____________________________________________________________________________
follow on BLOGLOVIN' || GOOGLE || TWITTER || TUMBLR || CHICTOPIA || LOOKBOOK