The gap between Asian and Western cuisines continues to be challenged, tested, and bridged as First Class Indonesia brings together renowned chefs William Wongso and Herman den Blijker for an exploration of gastronomic fusion.
The world of food and hospitality is no longer a stranger to East-West fusions. This is exactly the highlight of the Dutch television programme First Class Indonesia, created and hosted by Sherley Yahya, co-hosted with Carolien ter Linden. Broadcast on RTL 4 and streamed on VideoLand in the Netherlands, the show discovers luxury hotels, spas, and culinary experiences across Asia, offering viewers in the Netherlands and beyond a glimpse of upscale travel and dining on the continent. One of the episodes placed Bali in the centre of the narrative, and it captured Indonesian culinary connoisseur William Wongso in collaboration with Dutch celebrity chef Herman den Blijker, best known as head chef at the Rotterdam-based, MICHELIN-starred restaurant De Engel.
In the episode, the two chefs engage in an exchange of culinary dialogue. Chef Wongso came with his famous rendang, one of Indonesia’s most recognised dishes. The rich and tender beef, bathed in an unctuous sauce that’s equally spicy and earthy, conversed with Chef den Blijker’s stamppot. A Dutch classic, it features a hearty mix of mashed potatoes and vegetables. Though the two exist in different palates, they came together as one with the chefs’ expertise and respect for each other’s culinary traditions.
Beyond the small screen, First Class Indonesia brought this experience to life with a dining experience at Café Jakarta, located within Hotel Jakarta Amsterdam. The limited engagement introduced a tasting menu that Chef Wongso and Chef den Blijker created together, presented alongside in-house Head Chef Rendy Reanaldy and guest chef Agus Hermawan from Indonesia. The rendang-stamppot hybrid became a highlight, supported by other inventive creations: Dutch North Sea fish marinated in Indonesian lime and chilli, Dutch oysters served with Indonesian sambal, and dairy-forward desserts familiar to the Netherlands, accentuated by the tropical fruits native to Indonesia.
First Class Indonesia
