Indonesia Shines with the New Destination Champion 2026 Award
javadiscovery.com – New Destination Champion 2026 has placed Indonesia firmly in the global culinary spotlight. The recognition, presented at the Annual La Liste Awards Ceremony in Paris, celebrates Indonesia’s growing presence as a must-visit destination for food travelers around the world.
The award was received by Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, marking a major step in elevating the nation’s gastronomic identity on the world stage. For Indonesia, it is more than a trophy — it is a testament to the cultural depth, creativity, and diversity of its food traditions.
A Decade of La Liste and a Global Nod to Indonesia
The ceremony held in Paris carried extra significance this year as La Liste celebrated its 10th anniversary. The event was hosted in collaboration with the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and attended by Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, along with Ambassador Philippe Faure, President of La Liste.
Each year, La Liste curates The World’s Top 1,000 Best Restaurants and presents a series of special awards that highlight excellence across the global culinary landscape. Within this framework, Indonesia’s win signals a strong acknowledgment of its rich and evolving gastronomic potential.
La Liste has long been recognized as one of the world’s most selective culinary guides. Its global platform allows travelers to discover top dining experiences, offering a curated lens through which audiences can explore new destinations — including Indonesia.
Strengthening Indonesia’s Culinary Identity
Indonesia’s recognition under the New Destination Champion 2026 category aligns with ongoing national efforts to elevate food heritage. It complements initiatives such as Wonderful Indonesia Gourmet, designed to showcase local ingredients, regional food traditions, and the stories behind them.
In her acceptance speech, Minister Widiyanti highlighted that this achievement reflects the dedication of many contributors across the country. “This accomplishment belongs not only to the Ministry of Tourism, but also to our farmers, fishers, culinary artisans, chefs, small businesses, and communities who preserve and enrich Indonesia’s authentic food heritage,” she said.
Two Restaurants Appointed as Culinary Ambassadors
As part of the award, La Liste appointed two Indonesian restaurants as official Gastronomy Ambassadors — symbols of Indonesia’s excellence for the world to witness.
Rumari – Raffles Bali
Led by Chef Gaetan Biesuz, Rumari represents Bali on the global culinary stage. This year also marks its successful debut in La Liste’s Top 1,000 Best Restaurants 2026, elevating its status as a world-class fine-dining destination.
Esa Restaurant – Jakarta
Represented by Chef Aditya Muskita, Esa showcases modern Indonesian cuisine with bold creativity and a refined approach. Its selection highlights the capital city’s emerging role in Southeast Asia’s contemporary culinary scene.
Both restaurants earned recognition for their mastery of technique, innovative use of local ingredients, and ability to reimagine Indonesian flavors for an international audience.
A Gathering of the World’s Culinary Leaders
The two-day celebration on 23–24 November 2025 brought together ministers, former ministers, culinary leaders, and renowned chefs from around the world. The forum has become one of the most important meeting points for the global gastronomy community.
For Indonesia, this participation opens new pathways for collaboration, from international partnerships to creative exchanges that can support the growth of the nation’s culinary ecosystem.
As Indonesia moves forward with this momentum, the award stands as both recognition and invitation — a reminder that its culinary heritage continues to rise, evolve, and inspire the world.
