Jakarta — Indonesia’s dessert industry has stepped into the global spotlight with the Golden Swirl Awards 2025, held as part of Jakarta Dessert Week at Plaza Indonesia on September 8, 2025. The event recognized 13 entrepreneurs and brands whose innovations are reshaping the culinary landscape and positioning Indonesian desserts as cultural and economic assets.
Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya praised the initiative, noting its potential to elevate local businesses and chefs to international markets. “This event highlights the extraordinary interest in Indonesian desserts and their role in strengthening our creative economy,” he said.
Founder of the Golden Swirl Awards, Gupta Sitorus, emphasized that desserts are more than indulgence—they represent culture, innovation, and diplomacy. The awards were designed to provide fair recognition for the diversity and talent within Indonesia’s pastry and dessert sector.
Among the honorees, Lalita Setiandi was named Pastry Chef of the Year for her visionary approach to blending international flavors with local traditions. The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award went to Chef Yongki Gunawan, honored for his decades-long contribution to shaping Indonesia’s pastry industry since 1979.
Other winners included standout brands across categories such as Traditional Dessert Shop of the Year, Modern Dessert Shop of the Year, Chocolate Shop of the Year, and Emerging Dessert Brand of the Year. Each award reflected the sector’s growing sophistication and global competitiveness.
The festival itself spanned multiple venues across Jakarta from August 25 to September 14, 2025, offering curated menus and limited-edition creations. By combining culinary artistry with strategic promotion, Jakarta Dessert Week has become a platform for showcasing Indonesia’s gastronomic identity to the world.
The Golden Swirl Awards 2025 not only celebrated excellence but also reinforced the role of the dessert industry as a driver of creative economy growth and cultural diplomacy, aligning with Indonesia’s ambition to expand its influence in global culinary markets.
