BRCA May Newsletter
May 2025
Om Swastiastu, warm hospitality greetings from the BRCA!
As we step into May, there’s a buzz of excitement in the air, and not just because Bali has that irresistible magic we all love. We’ve had some incredible moments recently that truly highlight the spirit of our community. Now, we’re thrilled to bring you our May Newsletter, packed with updates, highlights, and things you won’t want to miss. So grab your coffee, sit back and enjoy what we’ve got in store!
MONTHLY LUNCHEON
Bai Yun Restaurant at the Apurva Kempinski Bali, May 14th 2025, hosted by BRCA
This month we took the luncheon all the way to the southern tip of Bali – Nusa Dua!
At BRCA we love mixing things up – new location, new flavours and off course, a different set of inspiring speakers each time. We believe in keeping our events dynamic and giving our members the opportunity to host, share and shine.
For some of you, it may have been a bit of a journey to get there – but trust us, it was so worth it. Our venue? None other than the stunning Apurva Kempinski Bali , perched majestically on the cliffs of Nusa Dua, with sweeping views of the Indian Ocean and lushtropical gardens. It was the kind of setting that instantly lifted the vibe – elegant, energizing and just the right touch of magic to set the tone for an inspiring afternoon.
About The Venue – Bai Yun Restaurant at the Apurva Kempinski Bali.
With an authentic culinary flair and style, this
authentic hot pot destination will tantalise
the taste buds and have diners coming back
for more – Bai Yun
From Magnolia to China, and nowadays popular in
South East Asia, hot pot convivial dining experience
can now be enjoyed at the Apurva Kempinski Bali.
The name Bai Yun translates as white cloud in
Chinese-Mandarin. Reflecting the dining concept of
this restaurant, this name is inspired by the way hot
pots produce heat, which in turn creates the steam
that floats in the air, resembling white clouds
Bai Yun at the Apurva Kempinski Bali
Phone: +62 361 209 2288
Email: restaurants.bali@kempinski.com
Website:https://www.kempinski.com/en/theapurva-kempinski-bali/restaurants-bars/bai-yun
A Feast for the Senses: Flavor, Atmosphere, and Connection at Its Best
The luncheon was truly memorable—thanks to the delicious dishes by Chef Ho Weng Kit and his talented team, along with the seamless service from the restaurant crew. Everything ran smoothly from start to finish. But what really made it special was the atmosphere—guests were clearly having a great time, enjoying the food, connecting with one another, and listening to inspiring speakers who brought great energy to the event.
We kicked off the luncheon with a warm welcome from Chef Dean Keddell, one of BRCA’s founding members. Guests were then served refreshing drinks and a delicious dim sum selection—shumai, fish balls, garupa dumplings, red snapper spring rolls, and roast duck.
As the meal continued, the highlight arrived: a fun and flavorful Hot Pot experience featuring fresh seafood, vegetables, mushrooms, noodles, tofu, and eggs. One guest shared, “The food was fantastic! Best dim sum and hot pot I’ve ever had—and the chili and sauce bar was awesome!”
To wrap things up, we ended on a sweet note with almond pudding, chrysanthemum jelly, and tropical fruits—light and refreshing.
Inspiring Speakers of the Day
Terra Water Indonesia – Christine R. Manson (Founder) & Social Impakt – Jeroen van Overbeek – (Founder)
Topic: “Water and Hospitality: Cost Savings and Community Level Impact”
Christine R. Mason, founder of Terra Water Indonesia, delivered a powerful and inspiring speech that captivated the audience and shed light on the impactful work she’s doing. Terra Water Indonesia is tackling one of the country’s biggest challenges—access to clean, affordable drinking water—while reducing plastic waste and carbon emissions.
In Indonesia:
- Over 50% rely on bottled or boiled water.
- It’s the 2nd largest plastic polluter in the world.
- Poverty and unsafe water contribute to high death rates among women and children in rural areas.
- Boiling water produces over 1 ton of CO₂ per household each year.
Terra offers a simple, sustainable solution: ceramic filters made from local clay that remove harmful pathogens— without electricity or chemicals.
Proven Impact: 2.06 tons CO₂ saved per filter, $500+ in water savings, 78% reduction in respiratory illness, and 44% fewer childhood deaths, more time for school, work, and life
Jaroen Van Overbeek, founder of Social Impakt and a valued BRCA board member, shared his inspiring work and ongoing contributions to the community. Social Impakt is a Social Enterprise based in Bali, Indonesia whose mission is to improve access to clean drinking water in rural areas and cities of Indonesia by providing a simple and affordable water filtration technology. The Problem Today, 34 million people in Indonesia still don’t have access to safe drinking water—putting their health, time, and finances at risk.
Over the last 10 years, Social Impakt has: Distributed 30,000+ filters, reaching 350,000+ people, Helped families save over $1.1 million in water costs, prevented the use of 110 million plastic bottles, and reduced 14,700 tons of CO₂ emissions. Next goal: expand into Eastern Indonesia—including Lombok, Flores, and Sumba—while continuing to grow the retail presence in Bali.
How Hospitality Can Help:
Sponsor a filter (IDR 350,000 / $21) to give a family 3 years of clean water,
Support CSR programs that promote health and sustainability.
Partner to reach communities in real need—from street vendors to waste pickers
Bali Sustainable Seafood – Hema Sitorus (Founder)
Topic: “Sustainable Seafood: Why It’s Important for Us?”
Wrapping up the speaking session was Hema Sitorus, founder of Bali Sustainable Seafood, who highlighted the importance of sustainable seafood and shared how her business puts these practices into action. Founded in 2017, Bali Sustainable Seafood is a Bali-based social enterprise committed to responsible fishing and sourcing practices. By targeting larger fish, the company supports marine biodiversity—allowing smaller fish to mature and replenish the ecosystem.
Key principles: Responsibly sourced from sustainable fisheries or farms, supports healthy fish populations and ecosystems and ensures fair labor practices with minimal environmental impact
Why it’s matters for HORECA?
- Confidence in ethical, high-quality sourcing.
- Positive brand reputation with eco-conscious consumers
- Compliance with evolving retail and export standards
- Collaboration on sustainable menu and product development
Big Love to Our Amazing Partners & Sponsors
To our incredible partners and sponsors, thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Your support doesn’t just keep the BRCA running smoothly (and our lunches delicious); it fuels the spirit of everything we do. Your commitment means the world to us, and it’s thanks to you that we’re able to keep uplifting Bali’s vibrant restaurant and café scene. You continue to set a great example of hospitality and support—we really appreciate it.
From the whole BRCA board: thank you for believing in the power of community. We couldn’t do this without you.
EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
Some amazing events are taking place in Bali, hosted by none other than our very own members— Hatten Wines and The Apurva Kempinski Bali.
BRCA is proud to attend and support these initiatives as part of our ongoing commitment to our members. These events not only highlight the incredible work being done in our community but also offer valuable insights and inspiration for anyone working toward a more sustainable future.
“Earth Day by Hatten Wines,” held on 21 April 2025, commemorated Earth Day and supported the “Bali Bersih” initiative led by the Governor of Bali. The event was attended by Governor I Wayan Koster and featured a signing ceremony for cooperation agreements with PT Nusa Solar (a solar panel provider), the Malu Dong community, and PT Bersih Dari Sampah. These partnerships reflect Hatten Wines’ strong commitment to environmental sustainability and a cleaner, greener Bali.
On another front, the 3rd annual “Path to Sustainable Growth” summit took place on 8 May 2025 at The Apurva Kempinski Bali. This impactful one-day event brought together a wide range of industries for meaningful collaboration and dialogue around sustainability.
The summit featured a diverse panel of speakers from sectors including architecture, tourism, business, the arts, associations, conservation, media, and more—highlighting the importance of crossindustry cooperation in driving sustainable progress. The event opened with a keynote address by Drs. Amnu Fuadiy, MA, Assistant Deputy Minister for Sustainable Tourism at Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism. Notable speakers: Wenda Ramadya Nabiel (ITDC), Jelle Thery (Urban Nature), Dr. Yoga Iswara (IHGMA), Ida Bagus Agung Gunarthawa (Samsara Living), Helianti Hilman (Javara Indonesia), John Higson (Eco Solutions Lombok), Nicolaz Perez (PT PIPA), Dr. Stephan Phang (Diversey), Yuki Susanto (PT Suparma Tbk) and Tobias Wilson (Shiva Industries)
UPCOMING EVENTS
We’re excited to be part of Eco Tourism Week on 28th May 2025 at the Meru Convention Hall, Sanur!
This third edition of Eco Tourism Week, themed “What can WE do for Bali?” is an important platform for promoting sustainable transformation in the tourism industry—something BRCA is proud to support. We’ve been actively working to encourage better sustainability practices across Bali’s restaurant and café scene, and we’re thrilled to be part of the event. If you’re attending, be sure to stop by Booth No. 12 and say hello!
Get Ready! Bali Meat Park 2025 x BRCA
After a phenomenal debut, Bali Meat Park is back for another unforgettable weekend of flavor, music, and community!
This two-day celebration in Sanur brings together meat lovers, music enthusiasts, and festival goers for a feast of sizzling barbecue, refreshing drinks, and live performances—all set against Bali’s beautiful beachfront.
BRCA is proud to collaborate on this exciting event, with 11 of our amazing members participating: 2080 Burger, Jackson Lily’s by Ginger Moon, Adriana Cocina & Bar, Mason, Blossom, Shima Teppanyaki, Dapur Raja, TEMPLE by Ginger Moon, Das Bistro, Ginger Moon Canteen, and Wheatfields Bakery.
What to Expect at Bali Meat Park 2025
Flavorful weekend featuring top BBQ from local and international chefs, live music across genres, and a beautiful beachside venue at Taman Inspirasi Muntig Siokan. Enjoy family-friendly activities, fun zones, raffles, and great giveaways. Plus, 10% of ticket sales will support Casa Vida Bali, helping vulnerable children and families. It’s more than just food and music—it’s a celebration of community.
Come hungry, come happy.
To our participating members, as we continue working to increase BRCA’s visibility and highlight our shared commitment to Bali, we’d love your support in displaying a small piece of BRCA branding at your stall. Don’t worry—BRCA will provide the materials, and they’re designed to complement your setup without taking attention away from your brand.
For those not participating, we’d still love to see you there—come support the community at Taman Inspirasi Muntig Siokan, Sanur, on 12–13 July 2025. It’ll be a great weekend of food, music, and good vibes!
FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFO: Visit balimeatpark.com or follow Instagram @balimeatpark for updates, lineup drops, and exclusive promos.
We’re excited to invite you to our next luncheon on 11 June 2025!
Join us for a great afternoon of delicious food, inspiring speakers, and meaningful connections. Let’s come together to celebrate our community and keep the conversations going.
We can’t wait to see you there!
INVITATION TO THE NEXT BRCA LUNCHEON
11th June 2025 Private Dining Room –The Cellar Door Hall I
Hosted by BRCA
AND COMING UP
12th & 13th July 2025 – BRCA x Bali Meat Park
August – No lunch, as it is peak high season, we are all
going to be very busy!
10th September 2025 – TBC
SIGN UP INVITES FOR INDUSTRY COLLEAGUES
BRCA is working hard to promote Bali as a world-class culinary destination. There is power in numbers. The more restaurants and cafés that join, the louder our collective voice. Please share this newsletter with your industry peers and food-focused businesses. While BRCA membership is for restaurants and cafés, sponsorship opportunities are open to others who support a food-forward Bali.
For membership and sponsorship queries, please contact: manager@balirca.id
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS:
- 4 FREE BRCA Luncheons.
- 2 further FREE BRCA luncheons when bringing 1 new member.
- 40% off membership fee for 2nd and subsequent outlets.
- 15% discount on selected BRCA members’ restaurants.
- Access to BRCA’s online portal with our directory of partners and suppliers and any discount or special offers available.
- Listing on BRCA Website.
- Minimum 3 posts on social media & multiple Instagram stories.
- Monthly networking opportunity through BRCA luncheons.
- Networking with members and partners through our WhatsApp group.
We’re delighted to welcome our new and returning members to the BRCA family!
A warm welcome to:
Jhoi Restaurant, 2080 Burger, Private Dining Room Hatten Bali, Mozaic Restaurant
CLOSING THE BRCA & YOU
Bali already has the brand and resources to become a gastronomy tourism destination.
Bali is gaining recognition as a world-class culinary destination, offering everything from rich traditions to modern flavors. If you’re passionate about promoting Bali’s food scene, we’d love to have you on our board! Please reach out to any BRCA team member to express your interest.
Founders
Dean Keddell – Ginger Moon Restaurants & Author of Our Bali Your Bali – Bali Kita Bali Kamu
Chris Salans – Mozaic
Anthony Syrowatka – Viceroy Hotel, Aperitif, Blossom + others & Gaia Digital Marketing Agency
Board
Kertawidyawati (Widya) – BRCA President
Weni Ariasty – Manager NOW! Bali & the BRCA treasurer
Ana Dewi – Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali – HACCP
Maria Efflin – Administrator at the BRCA
Naomi Tribuana Festilani – Business and Community Manager BRCA
Jeroen Van Overbeek – Social Impakt, Bali Coop & BRCA Vice President
Min Siah – Wheatfields Bakery, Starter Lab – Advisor
Heru Dwi Soesilo – 2080 Burger & an events, branding & marketing guru
Cynthia Louise Tait – Jhoi Local Eats & championing wellness in the workplace for the BRCA
Thank you for reading this newsletter and see you at our luncheon in June! Suksma!
With culinary regards,
Naomi Tribuana Festilani
Business & Community Manager BRCA
On Behalf of BRCA Founders & Board
Email: manager@balirca.id, Website: https://www.balirca.id/
