The city’s sweetest festival has officially begun. Jakarta Dessert Week (JDW) 2025 opened today at Central Park Mall, marking the start of its seventh edition with the theme “A Tribute to Jakarta.” More than just a festival of indulgence, JDW continues to champion culinary innovation, strengthen Jakarta’s position as a gastronomic hub, and connect established and emerging dessert artisans across Indonesia.
The opening ceremony welcomed over 300 guests, including renowned chefs, culinary entrepreneurs, media, and government representatives from the Ministry of Creative Economy, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta. Recognized as part of Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN), JDW is officially listed among Indonesia’s top cultural and tourism events.
This year’s Restaurant Week involves more than 50 leading brands such as FLOR (Ismaya Group), Knots (UNION Group), Braud, 7AM, AB Steak, Kempi Deli, Pipiltin Cocoa, Maiku, Billy’s Block, and Chicory. Each participating venue has created a special dessert inspired by the festival’s theme, available exclusively during the event period from 25 August to 14 September 2025. Guests are encouraged to “dessert hop” across Jakarta to taste these limited-edition offerings.
Complementing Restaurant Week is the Dessert Markt, a bazaar designed as a platform for new and emerging brands. Hosted at Tribeca, Central Park Mall, from 4–14 September, it will feature more than 35 participants, including Bagai Mendapat Durian Runtuh, Serabi Mawar, Terve, Itsuka Cola, DOSA, Maru, Tomaple, Doux Cookies, Kwasong, and Mysie Bakery.
Another key highlight is the Golden Swirl Award, returning for its second edition on 8 September 2025 at Plaza Indonesia. The award recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions within Indonesia’s dessert industry.
Government officials also expressed support for the festival’s broader role. Yuke Sri Rahayu, Deputy for Creativity, Culture, and Design at the Ministry of Creative Economy, emphasized the sector’s importance: “The culinary subsector has become the backbone of Indonesia’s creative economy, contributing 42% to GDP, generating over Rp 644 trillion in added value, and employing nine million workers in 2024. Culinary is not only a new engine of growth but also a tool for cultural diplomacy.”
Fransiskus Xaverius Teguh, Expert Staff to the Minister for Sustainable Development and Conservation at the Ministry of Tourism, added: “Jakarta Dessert Week is not only a celebration of culinary creativity but also a step towards sustainable tourism by strengthening Jakarta’s image as a gastronomic destination.”
For Gupta Sitorus, Founder of Indonesia Dessert Week, the festival has always been about connection and growth: “For the past seven years, JDW has been a platform for collaboration across the culinary industry. With this year’s theme, A Tribute to Jakarta, we celebrate the city as a hub of creativity and home to so many talented pastry chefs and dessert artisans. JDW aims to raise industry standards, open new opportunities, and bring Indonesian desserts to the global stage.”
JDW 2025 also embraces digital innovation through the official Indonesia Dessert Week mobile app developed by Opaper. First introduced in Bandung Dessert Week, the app now enriches the Jakarta edition with access to event information, digital stamps for dessert hopping, and registration for pop-up activities. Festival-goers can also join a lucky draw offering prizes from KitchenAid appliances to luxury hotel stays, while HSBC credit card users enjoy exclusive discounts during the bazaar. Daily interactive contests on Instagram Stories further invite the public to engage with the celebration.
Running from late August through mid-September, Jakarta Dessert Week 2025 blends tradition, innovation, and cultural homage. With its theme A Tribute to Jakarta, the festival reflects the city’s dynamic spirit, culinary artistry, and enduring role as the beating heart of Indonesia’s dessert culture.
