Jakarta’s love affair with desserts reaches its new heights with the return of the Jakarta Dessert Week (JDW) now in its sixth edition. Ready to indulge those with a special fondness for anything’s sweet, this festive dessert celebration will roll out from 30 September to 20 October 2024. This year, the organisers have added a touch of wildlife to the sugar rush, with the theme “Wildlife.” Dessert makers are drawing inspiration from Indonesia’s breathtaking natural and cultural heritage, determined to give dessert lovers in the big durian city a truly wild ride.
The festival kicked off in at La Moda in Plaza Indonesia on 30 September 2024, where culinary professionals gathered to toast to a future where dessert reigns supreme. Special events planned through the three-week fest are designed to engage, excite, and inspire. They will be spread throughout different locations in Jakarta including city takeovers with participating cafes and restaurants serving limited edition sweets that tell a story of the wild, as well as pop-up stores and events at Plaza Indonesia.
For the creative minds, there’s cake decorating by renowned chefs like Sonia Basil, drawing inspiration from the magnificent Rafflesia Arnoldii (yes, the flower that smells terrible, but this time in cake form, it’ll smell much better). And if you’re looking for a kid-friendly activity, take them to the Wildlife Cupcake Class or hop around Jakarta for some dessert exploration.
If you’re looking to add an extra layer of excitement, the Stamp Card system offers discounts and prizes. Think of it as a treasure hunt, but with desserts at the finish line. There’s something for everyone—from a DIY Donut Tower class for kids to the adult-friendly Chocolate & Wine Sensory Class at Modena.
As you hop around Jakarta, sampling the “wildlife” creations, expect nothing less than culinary magic from the 50 curated merchants. From AB Steak by Akira Back to the whimsical world of Weirdough Bakehouse, and everything in between, JDW 2024 promises to be a city-wide celebration of flavour and creativity. Who knew cake could become a medium for storytelling, right? And for the nostalgic among us, places like Let’s Go Gelato and Jon & Lou will deliver the perfect blend of old-school comfort with new-age artistry.
The fun excitement does not end here. This year brings something extra sweet with the launch of the Golden Swirl Award – Jakarta Edition. The award serves as a well-deserved nod to the chefs and patissiers who have spent years pushing the boundaries of what it means to create edible art. Primo Rizky, co-founder of JDW, captures it perfectly: “We want to give recognition to dessert creators who have enriched the flavours of the capital.” And let’s face it, with categories like Best Cake, Best Dessert Innovation, and Pastry Chef of the Year, the competition will be nothing short of decadent.
Follow their official Instagram page @dessertweek.id to get the latest information about the schedules and the merchants, and have a sweet, and wild ride!
