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VOInews, Jakarta: It's not just the Jakarta Fair that has Kerak Telor, this week, Paris also had special guests, Kerak Telor and Bir Pletok. For the first time in history, these two Betawi specialties stopped by Paris, at the Fête de l'Archipel or Nusantara Festival organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Paris in collaboration with the DKI Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy Office and a number of other agencies.

"The world-renowned gastronomy school, Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, was visited by Kerak Telor and Bir Pletok served by Indonesian celebrity Chef, Chef Marinka, a judge of Master Chef Indonesia," wrote the Indonesian Embassy in a statement received by Indonesia Window here on Friday (6/10/2023).

The Cordon Bleu students filled the Kerak Telor cooking demonstration room and were very enthusiastic about learning about the various spices typical of the country that have opened the path of exploration to the archipelago in the late Middle Ages (spice route). "The prospective chefs were also very interested in the use of charcoal / firewood in the process of making Kerak Telor in the traditional way, which can provide a special aroma," wrote the Indonesian Embassy.

The Indonesian Ambassador to Paris, Mohamad Oemar, who was warmly welcomed by the CEO of Le Cordon Bleu International, André Cointreau, conveyed Indonesia's richness in terms of food recipes that need to be tasted and learned.

"Most of the basic spices of Indonesian cuisine have been exported throughout the world, so that the world-renowned chefs can help promote the taste of Indonesian specialties in their respective restaurants in the future," he said.

Meanwhile, CEO of Le Cordon Bleu International, André Cointreau, said that many of Cordon Bleu's gastronomy graduates from Indonesia are successful in improving the quality of their dishes. Currently, there are at least 30 Indonesian students studying at Le Cordon Bleu Paris.

"André Cointreau is also looking at opportunities to work with the Indonesian Government to develop a gastronomy school in Indonesia," the Indonesian Embassy wrote.

The event with the theme "Culinary Voyage to the Archipelago of Indonesia" was held within the framework of the Nusantara Festival, which is an integrated promotional event for Indonesia in the fields of trade, investment, creative economy including fashion and culinary, as well as culture and tourism.

This activity was held by the Indonesian Embassy in Paris from September 29 to October 5, 2023 to increase Indonesia's visibility in France, including efforts to penetrate the world market.

The Nusantara Festival series of events began with trade promotion in the Spring/Summer 2024 collection exhibition on the official Paris Fashion Week agenda. Eight Indonesian brands, namely 3Mongkis, Aidan and Ice, Artkea Stripes, Artkea Bloom, Christin Wu, Elly Han Jewelry, IKYK, Jewel Rocks Bijoux, and Long Stroy Short, displayed their collections at the L'Adresse Showroom during the week to potential buyers from all over the world who attended the Fashion Week in Paris.

On the investment front, the Indonesian Embassy in Paris in collaboration with the French business association, MEDEF International, organized the Indonesia-France Business Forum on 4 October 2023 to promote investment opportunities in Indonesia, particularly in the development of the Archipelago's Capital City. The event was also attended by the Head of IKN Authority.

The promotional activities were followed by a showcase of Indonesian wastra and culture which featured 9 homeland brands to the world fashion stage namely 3Mongkis, Adrie Basuki, Artkea x Aidan and Ice, Batik Gobang Jakarta, Hian Tjen, IKYK, Natakerti Fashion Designer, and Tidore weaving from North Maluku presented by Puta Dino Kayangan brand.

The show was also enlivened by Balinese dance performances by Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI) Denpasar accompanied by Gamelan Puspawarna from the Pantcha Indra Association based in Paris. In addition, the DKI Jakarta Cultural Office also took the Salon Opéra at the InterContinental Paris - Le Grand Hotel by storm with a Betawi dance performance accompanied by a thunderous Gambang Kromong orchestra.

"The two groups of artists from Jakarta and Bali also enlivened the Diplomatic Reception in commemoration of the 78th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia and the 78th Anniversary of the Indonesian National Army," wrote the Indonesian Embassy.

The Diplomatic Reception was attended by at least 500 associates and key partners of the Indonesian Embassy in Paris, foreign Ambassadors based in Paris, Defense Attaches based in Paris, representatives of the French Government, Indonesian business partners, and indonesianists who continue to actively support the promotion of Indonesia in France. (VOI/Andy)