In recent years, Jakarta’s dining scene has increasingly welcomed world-renowned chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants, with guest appearances and collaborations that have energized local food lovers. Now, it’s time for Indonesian chefs to step into the spotlight abroad. This August, Indonesian cuisine will take center stage at one of Europe’s most prestigious fine dining destinations: the 3-Michelin star Restaurant Schwarzwaldstube in Germany’s Black Forest.
From August 5 to 9, 2025, Chef Degan Septoadji will lead a team of Indonesian chefs in a special takeover at the acclaimed restaurant located within Hotel Traube Tonbach. Joining him are Executive Sous Chef Setyo Widhyarto of Raffles Jakarta and celebrity chef and TV host Norman Ismail, who together will present a curated series of events celebrating the depth and diversity of Indonesian cuisine.
The program will feature a cooking class and four gala dinners from August 6–9, where guests will enjoy a 5-course Indonesian menu paired with German wines. Dinners are priced at €129 per person, and given the restaurant’s intimate 35-seat capacity, reservations are strongly recommended.
“We are thrilled to bring the flavors and aromas of Indonesian cuisine back to the Black Forest, and particularly at Restaurant Schwarzwaldstube,” said Chef Degan. “This is a moment of pride for Indonesian cuisine, and we look forward to sharing our culinary heritage with the European audience once again.”
This event marks a significant return for Indonesian cuisine at Hotel Traube Tonbach, which previously hosted Indonesian food promotions from 2014 to 2017. Chef Degan also has a personal connection to the location—his relationship with Schwarzwaldstube began in 2007, during his time at Banyan Tree Bangkok. His longstanding friendship with Chef Henry Oskar Fried, now assistant culinary director of the hotel, dates back to their apprenticeship years at Hotel zur Pfalz in Rheinland-Pfalz in 1984.
Meet the Chefs Bringing Indonesia to Schwarzwaldstube
Chef Degan Septoadji is a German-educated Indonesian chef with experience in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, including The Atlantis Bahamas, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Hyatt, and Hilton International. In Indonesia, he is widely known for his role as a judge on MasterChef Indonesia and Junior MasterChef.
Chef Setyo Widhyarto, Executive Sous Chef at Raffles Jakarta, brings over two decades of culinary experience. In addition to his kitchen career, he has worked behind the scenes as a food producer for MasterChef Indonesia and authored two cookbooks on modern Indonesian food, including one in collaboration with Chef Norman Ismail.
Chef Norman Ismail is a familiar face in Indonesia’s culinary media, having hosted several cooking shows and served as a judge in cooking competitions. He has worked in various five-star hotels and restaurants and is known for co-authoring numerous cookbooks that explore traditional and contemporary Indonesian cuisine.
A Prestigious Venue for a Landmark Occasion
Hotel Traube Tonbach, located in Germany’s scenic Black Forest, is a historic five-star property that has been operated by the Finkbeiner family for over 235 years. Known for its personalized service and luxurious comfort, the hotel is also home to two Michelin-starred restaurants: the 3-Michelin star Schwarzwaldstube and the 1-Michelin star Restaurant 1789.
With its modern spa and elegant setting amidst pine forests and rolling hills, the hotel has long been a destination for culinary tourism. Hosting a dedicated Indonesian culinary week, led by an all-Indonesian chef team, marks a first for Schwarzwaldstube and a significant achievement for Indonesia’s culinary diplomacy.
As Indonesian chefs step onto the world stage, this event signals growing global recognition of Indonesian cuisine—one course at a time.
