Jakarta Dessert Week Returns with New “Golden Swirl Award”

Jakarta Dessert Week (JDW) is back for its sixth edition, ready to delight dessert enthusiasts with exciting innovations from September 30 to October 20, 2024. This year, the festival introduces a new highlight—the launch of the Golden Swirl Award: Jakarta Edition, an accolade dedicated to honoring the top dessert creators in the city. With the theme "Wildlife," inspired by Indonesia’s rich biodiversity, JDW promises a celebration that goes beyond taste, incorporating culture and nature into every dessert masterpiece.

The Golden Swirl Award is designed to pay tribute to the creativity and craftsmanship of Jakarta’s dessert artisans. As Primo Rizky, co-founder of JDW, explained, “We want to acknowledge the dessert makers who have enriched Jakarta’s culinary scene with their passion and skill.” This award aims to encourage professionals in the dessert industry to push the boundaries of innovation and presentation, making it a coveted symbol of excellence. The categories for this year’s awards include Best Cake/Patisserie, Best Dessert Innovation During JDW, and Pastry Chef of the Year.

This year’s theme, "Wildlife," invites participating cafés and restaurants to craft desserts inspired by Indonesia’s breathtaking biodiversity. The theme encourages creativity, blending natural elements with culinary artistry to highlight the beauty of Indonesia’s flora and fauna. "We want participants to channel Indonesia’s natural wonders into their dessert creations,” said Rizky, emphasizing the connection between nature and culinary innovation. Beyond just the desserts, JDW maintains its popular city-wide format, allowing guests to explore Jakarta’s culinary scene while sampling special limited-edition desserts at participating venues. Visitors can also participate in the Stamp Card program, where collecting five stamps unlocks a discount voucher and a chance to win prizes from partners like KitchenAid, Modena, and Sero Ceramic.

This year’s JDW lineup includes 50 carefully selected cafés, restaurants, and dessert artisans across Jakarta. Some of the standout names include AB Steak by Chef Akira Back, Amato Dessert Bar, Artirasa, DOU Donut, Exquise Patisserie, Gelato Secrets, Lou Patisserie, Pipiltin Cocoa, The Pancake Co. by DORE, and Weirdough Bakehouse. These establishments will showcase special, wildlife-themed desserts exclusive to the festival, allowing dessert lovers to indulge in a variety of innovative creations across the city.

JDW 2024 kicked off with a grand opening at La Moda Plaza Indonesia on August 29, 2024. The event brought together culinary figures from across the industry for a celebration of the festival’s return and served as a platform for networking and collaboration among chefs, restaurateurs, café owners, and dessert innovators. This opening party was a prime opportunity for brands to showcase their latest creations and innovations, reinforcing JDW’s role as a hub for culinary inspiration and industry connections.

JDW 2024 will also feature several special events throughout its three-week run, including an exclusive experience tour with the festival’s founders, a dessert food tour, and weekly pop-up events such as cooking demos and talk shows with prominent chefs. In one standout event, Chef Kevin Krisna of FLOR by Ismaya will host a kids’ cake decorating class, and other activities include a chocolate and wine sensory class by Pipiltin Cocoa and Sababay Winery.

Not to be missed, JDW will feature an exciting collaboration with local artisan ceramics brand SERO Ceramic. This collaboration, led by celebrity chef Yuda Bustara, will be a highlight of the event, demonstrating the intersection of culinary and design innovation. Through engaging programs like these, JDW 2024 will not only celebrate dessert artistry but also serve as a platform to appreciate Indonesian culture and nature through taste and creativity. By fostering innovation and collaboration within the culinary industry, Jakarta Dessert Week continues to strengthen the city’s reputation as a sophisticated and creative culinary hub in Southeast Asia.