Dark chocolate has a way of commanding attention all on its own, but what happens when its intensity meets the flavours of Indonesia? At Grand Hyatt Jakarta, a new dessert explores that question with Guanaja, the celebrated Valrhona chocolate marking its 40th anniversary this year.
Available at Fountain Lounge since its debut on 30 September 2026, From Madagascar to Java is Executive Pastry Chef Ludovic Audaux’s interpretation of the iconic chocolate. First introduced in 1986, Guanaja made its mark as the world’s first 70% dark chocolate couverture, earning recognition for its pronounced cocoa character and aromatic depth. Four decades later, it provides the starting point for a creation that looks beyond chocolate itself.
Chef Ludovic draws on his French pastry background while making room for ingredients closer to home. Javanese coffee, Indonesian palm sugar, fresh cocoa fruit and vanilla each contribute a different note, giving the dessert a distinctly local character without losing sight of Guanaja’s defining intensity.
The experience unfolds across several textures. Guanaja appears in three forms: a light mousse, a smooth crémeux with a flowing centre, and a cooling sorbet. Coffee namelaka lends a fragrant, rounded quality, while palm sugar caramel brings a deeper sweetness. A crisp layer of cocoa nibs and hazelnuts provides contrast, and a fine chocolate tuile shaped like a cocoa leaf offers a final visual nod to the ingredient behind it all.
The combination captures Chef Ludovic’s interest in using pastry to tell stories. Having worked with Guanaja throughout his career, he wanted to revisit the familiar chocolate through the flavours of the country he now calls home. The dessert brings his professional roots into conversation with ingredients he has come to appreciate in Indonesia.
As part of Valrhona’s global celebration of Guanaja’s 40th anniversary, Grand Hyatt Jakarta is among the selected destinations presenting its own interpretation of the iconic chocolate. From Madagascar to Java remains available at Fountain Lounge for guests to try.
Discover more about the hotel and its latest offerings at grandhyattjakarta.com
Grand Hyatt Jakarta
Jl. M.H. Thamrin No.Kav. 28-30, Menteng
Jakarta
+62 21 2992 1234
@grandhyattjakarta
