Winter at Soneva Fushi

Chef Eelke Plasmeijer began his culinary journey at 14 in a small restaurant in his Dutch village. After training at hotel school and working in several Michelin-starred kitchens, he moved to Jakarta, where he became Head Chef and met Ray Adriansyah, then his Sous Chef. Their shared philosophy and curiosity for Indonesia’s rich biodiversity soon led them to Ubud, where they ran the kitchens of a boutique hotel and began shaping the vision that would define their careers: a restaurant built entirely around local ingredients. Twelve years later, that vision has evolved into the Locavore Group – an ecosystem of award-winning restaurants and bar concepts that explores Indonesia’s extraordinary produce through contemporary, creative expression. In late 2023, Locavore transformed into Locavore NXT, a progressive culinary experience that pushes their “local ingredients only” ethos further than ever before. More than a restaurant, it reflects Chef Eelke’s deep respect for nature, community and craftsmanship, and his commitment to redefining Indonesia’s culinary narrative on the global stage.

Ming-fai Choi is a Michelin-starred chef from Hong Kong, best known for his refined, contemporary approach to Chinese cuisine.  As the former Head Chef of Mora, Fai led the restaurant to earn both its first Michelin star and Michelin Green Star, achievements that reflect his dedication to sustainability and craftsmanship. Named the MICHELIN Young Chef 2024 recipient, Fai is recognised for presenting local flavours with modern techniques, creating dishes that celebrate seasonality and transform humble local ingredients into elegant, expressive creations. Rooted in a deep respect for nature, Fai’s cuisine explores the cultural identity of Hong Kong while blending East and West. Through his work, he continues to shape a modern interpretation of Hong Kong’s culinary voice on the global stage.