Ketut Arya Sumardika, known as Arya, is one of our 95 alumni that were the first students to ever graduate from Amisewaka – Desa Les Community Center in 2023. He has kindly given us an update on his journey and what he has been up to since leaving us.
Arya came from a hardworking but poor farming family background when he began his training at Amisewaka-DLCC. He was friendly, but not overly talkative, choosing to focus hard on his studies which earned him the opportunity to undergo a six-month training program at Locavore, a 5-star fine dining restaurant in Ubud. The six-month experience at this renowned restaurant proved to be not just a practical work stint, but also the gateway to greater opportunities. Arya now works at Hotel Adiwana Kamania in Ubud and has developed a true love for cooking.
For Arya, cooking is not just a skill, he tells us, it’s a form of creativity and a source of happiness. Each dish he creates brings joy and satisfaction, reflecting his dedication and passion. Moreover, Arya bravely took on challenges by participating in cooking competitions.
He joined a cooking competition organized by Adiwana Group, featuring participants from kitchens across all Adiwana’s branches. With Balinese cuisine as his inspiration, Arya chose to create his signature dish, crispy pork belly with chili sauce, and set himself apart from others who typically serve rice, opting to use cassava, which offers higher nutritional value. Despite feeling nervous during preparation, his determination carried him through the competition process.
While not achieving victory, our team here at Amisewaka–DLCC think the spirit and satisfaction he derived from taking part are invaluable achievements, and evidence that the journey to success is not always smooth, but every step brings learning and growth. Huge congratulations to Arya – we are enormously proud of what you have accomplished already!
