Kitchenesia interviewed the president of Asosiasi Culinary Professional (ACP) and the executive chef of AMUZ Gourmet, Aprez Café and Catering, Chef Stefu Santoso.
Kitchenesia.com - As the busiest business center in Indonesia, Sudirman Central Business District or SCBD also a prime culinary destination for white-collar Jakartans. More than 300 restaurants nestled in this area, stretching of hawker center, casual eateries, to fine-dining restaurants.
But one restaurant in SCBD, Aprez Café in particular, becomes culinary sensation in the district. Not because it is 0, the casual restaurant boosts buffet concept that effectively reduces customer waiting times, probably to be zero.
The “brilliant” restaurant is helmed by Chef Stefu Santoso, who also leads Aprez Catering and AMUZ Gourmet Restaurant. The Surabayan chef also leads one of the biggest chef associations in Indonesia: Asosiasi Culinary Professional (Association of Culinary Professionals Indonesia/ACP).
Carrying two major responsibilities on his shoulder, Chef Stefu enjoys living the best both of world.
from Bottom to Top
“It is never easy. But the key is commitment. That’s the principle I have worked on since I started my career,” said the executive chef of Aprez Café, Aprez Catering, and AMUZ Gourmet Restaurant.
The most unique part of his career is, unlike many chefs Kitchenesia had a talk with, Chef Stefu didn’t acquire his expertise abroad. The 43-year old chef embarked his career Atmajaya’s Culinary School in 1995, and then climbed step by step to his position now.
The milestone of his career was when he started his career as a Commis at of five-star The Park Lane Hotel Jakarta (now Wyndham Casablanca Hotel) under the tutelage of the prominent Chef Gilles Marx from French.
His determination and passion for culinary world became the catalyst of his career, making him acquired executive chef position of The Park Lane Hotel Jakarta at the age of 33.
Years passed by, Chef Stefu was asked by his former kitchenmate to run Aprez and AMUZ, two restaurants that found by Chef Gilles Marx in 2011. Leaving all convenience behind, Chef Stefu joined Chef Gilles on Aprez first anniversary.
The Award-Winning Chef
Although he never went abroad to study or work, Chef Stefu is popular in overseas for his achievements. In his 22-year careers in culinary world, Chef Stefu has claimed several prestigious chef awards under his belt.
The latest achievement was Chef “World Top Outstanding Master Chef “, granted by World Top Gourmet Award, a prestigious award for chef around the world. Chef Stefu received this award in October 2019, making him the only Indonesian chef to win this award in that year.
Between his busy schedules for handling three food establishments at the same time, Chef Stefu Santoso also contributes his culinary expertise to culinary students. Being the president of ACP since 2014, the award-winning chef ensures education is the main aim of the organization.
“Indonesian chefs will always regenerate and reform. And our successors are students in culinary vocational school.”
Always determined and passionate, Chef Stefu Santoso and ACP members venture out to develop culinary scene in Indonesia by holding workshops and training to the soon-to-be chefs.
