Lukman Hakim has been appointed Executive Sous Chef of Arts Café by Raffles, leading Raffles Jakarta's iconic all-day restaurant as it transforms into an elevated, globally-inspired dining destination.

Born and raised in Bandung, Chef Lukman started his career at 19 years old. After cutting his teeth in the kitchens of Japan, the Netherlands and Dubai's five-stars hotels, he decided to pack his knives and moved back to Indonesia in 2015. He brought home his expertise in French, Italian and Japanese cuisine while resolutely rediscovering Indonesian cuisine – one region at a time. “I've been eating my way throughout this vast archipelago and figuring out the different ways I can apply my own twist with various cooking techniques,” says Chef Lukman.

Since joining Raffles Jakarta early this year, he has been occupied with revamping Arts Café by Raffles' culinary offering. From developing a dedicated Japanese Corner to crafting an evolving menu for The Show Kitchen, Chef Lukman has been reinventing the menu, adding his globally-inspired stamp and playful twist on the classics.

Savour his prowess in dishes like Smoked Magret Duck served with piquant red curry and lychee sauce, vibrant mango salsa, and sticky rice. Putting the venerated oven to good use, he creates Josper-Grilled Octopus, marinated with yuzu tare and plated with crushed peanuts and romesco sauce. His playful Bacon-Wrapped Barramundi received rave reviews when it was recently unveiled at The Show Kitchen – for its clever combination of rich caviar beurre blanc, umami crumb and micro herbs salad. These dishes will only be available for a limited period of time on the a la carte as well as the lunch and dinner buffet menu.

Under Chef Lukman, Arts Café by Raffles is an invitation to embark on a gastronomic adventure.

“We want to invite the guests to taste our brand-new range of house specialties. From dry-aged meat to the evolving menu at The Show Kitchen, we aim to challenge the guests' palate with a playful reinvention of globally-inspired cuisine,” says Chef Lukman.

For press images of Chef Lukman Hakim and Arts Café by Raffles' signature dishes, please download here.

Raffles Jakarta, Ciputra World 1, Jl Prof. Dr. Satrio, Jakarta 12940 – Indonesia

Tel:  +62 21 2988 0888 | Email: jakarta@raffles.com| www.raffles.com/jakarta

For further information:

Mirah Marhaendra

Director of Marketing Communications

+62 21 2988 0888

mirah.marhaendra@raffles.com

About Raffles

Raffles Hotels & Resorts boasts an illustrious history and some of the most prestigious hotel addresses worldwide.  In 1887, Raffles Singapore set the standard for luxury hospitality, introducing the world to private butlers, the Singapore Sling and its enduring, legendary service.  Today, Raffles continues this tradition in leading cities and lavish resort locales, enchanting travellers with meaningful experiences and service that is both gracious and intuitive. Connoisseurs of life choose Raffles, not merely for its aura of culture, beauty and gentility, but for the extraordinary way they feel when in residence with Raffles. Each Raffles, be it Paris, Istanbul, Warsaw, Jakarta or the Seychelles, serves as a venerated oasis where travellers arrive as guests, leave as friends and return as family. Raffles is part of AccorHotels, a world-leading travel and lifestyle group which invites travellers to feel welcome at more than 4,500 hotels, resorts and residences, along with some 10,000 of the finest private homes around the globe.

raffles.com | accorhotels.com