Indonesia has once again strengthened its reputation on the international culinary stage after receiving the “New Destination Champion Award 2026” at the Annual La Liste Awards Ceremony in Paris, France.
The award was presented directly to Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, as recognition of the country’s rapid development and immense potential as an emerging gastronomic destination deemed “a must-visit for gourmets.”
This accolade marks a strategic achievement for Indonesia, not only enhancing its visibility on the global gastronomic map but also reinforcing its position in international culinary diplomacy.
A Decade of La Liste and Global Recognition for Indonesia
This year’s La Liste event carried special significance as it commemorated the organization’s 10th anniversary. The ceremony was held in collaboration with La Liste and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, attended by Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and Philippe Faure, French Ambassador and President of La Liste.
Each year, La Liste releases The World’s Top 1,000 Best Restaurants, along with several Special Awards presented to individuals, restaurants, and countries considered to have made significant contributions to global gastronomy.
In this context, the award presented to Indonesia affirms La Liste’s recognition of the richness of Indonesian cuisine, which is increasingly capturing the world’s attention.
La Liste is regarded as one of the most global and selective culinary guides, with a digital platform that makes it easy for gastronomic travelers to access the best recommendations worldwide.
Elevating Indonesia’s Culinary Image Worldwide
The honor bestowed upon Indonesia through the Ministry of Tourism is seen as an important step in reinforcing the nation’s gastronomic identity globally. The government views this award as aligned with various ongoing efforts, including strategic programs that elevate Indonesia’s culinary heritage, such as Wonderful Indonesia Gourmet.
In her remarks following the ceremony, Minister Widiyanti emphasized that this achievement does not belong to the ministry alone but is the result of collective effort across the country’s culinary ecosystem.
“This achievement does not belong solely to the Ministry of Tourism, but to our farmers, fishermen, culinary practitioners, chefs, MSMEs, and communities across the archipelago who preserve our traditions and continue to enrich Indonesia’s authentic culinary heritage,” said Minister Widiyanti.
Two Restaurants Selected as Culinary Ambassadors
As part of the New Destination Champion Award 2026, La Liste also named two Indonesian restaurants as exemplary representations of the nation’s culinary excellence. Both have been appointed as Gastronomy Ambassadors, showcasing Indonesia’s culinary standards to the world.
- Rumari – Raffles Bali, represented by Chef Gaetan Biesuz, was selected as the finest example from Bali. This year also marks Rumari’s debut on The World’s Top 1,000 Best Restaurants 2026 list.
- Esa Restaurant from Jakarta, represented by Chef Aditya Muskita, was chosen as the capital’s strongest representative, highlighting contemporary cuisine crafted with refined local elements.
Both restaurants are recognized for their exceptional technique, creativity, and innovative use of Indonesian ingredients, elevating the nation’s culinary identity to a premium level.
A Gathering of Global Gastronomy Leaders
The celebration of La Liste’s tenth anniversary was held over two days, from 23–24 November 2025, bringing together prominent figures from around the world. Ministers, former ministers, culinary leaders, and renowned chefs from various countries attended, making this forum one of the most important meeting points for the global gastronomic community.
For Indonesia, participation in this forum opened broader opportunities to engage with international stakeholders. The government hopes that this momentum will foster new collaborations to strengthen the national culinary industry while expanding global networking opportunities.
