Chef Degan Brings Indonesia to Germany’s 3-Michelin-Starred Schwarzwaldstube

After a memorable run from 2014 to 2017, Indonesian cuisine is making a celebrated comeback to the prestigious Hotel Traube Tonbach in Germany. From August 5 to 9, 2025, the iconic 3-Michelin-starred Restaurant Schwarzwaldstube will host an exclusive Indonesian culinary showcase—this time with an extraordinary twist: a full kitchen takeover by a team of Indonesian chefs, led by none other than the esteemed Chef Degan Septoadji.

Chef Degan Brings Indonesia to Germany’s 3-Michelin-Starred Schwarzwaldstube

This landmark event marks the first time in the restaurant’s history that its acclaimed kitchen will be helmed by Indonesian chefs. Joining Chef Degan are Executive Sous Chef Setyo Widhyarto of Raffles Jakarta and celebrity chef and TV host Norman Ismail. Together, they will bring the bold flavors, vibrant spices, and cultural richness of Indonesian cuisine to one of Europe’s most revered fine dining destinations.

The highlight of the week will be a series of four exclusive gala dinners held on August 6–9, 2025. Each evening will feature a refined 5-course menu celebrating authentic Indonesian dishes, thoughtfully paired with distinguished German wines. Priced at €129 per person, these intimate dinners will be limited to just 35 guests per night—making early reservations highly recommended.

"We are thrilled to bring the flavors and aromas of Indonesian cuisine back to the Black Forest, and particularly at Restaurant Schwarzwaldstube," said Chef Degan. "This is a moment of pride for Indonesian cuisine, and we look forward to sharing our culinary heritage with the European audience once again."

In addition to the dinners, guests will have the rare opportunity to participate in a hands-on cooking class led by the visiting chefs. This immersive experience will offer an insider look at the techniques, ingredients, and stories behind classic Indonesian dishes.

For Chef Degan, this event is a personal and professional full-circle moment. His first experience at Schwarzwaldstube dates back to 2007 during his time with Banyan Tree Bangkok. That visit helped lay the foundation for the successful Indonesian culinary promotions held at the same venue between 2014 and 2017.

Now, in 2025, Indonesian cuisine is set to shine once again—this time on an even grander scale. With a team of passionate culinary ambassadors and a historic Michelin-starred setting, the stage is set for an unforgettable celebration of Indonesia’s gastronomic heritage.

Meet the Chefs:

Degan Septoadji, a German-educated and trained chef, has worked in prestigious international hotel chains, including Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, The Atlantis Bahamas, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Hyatt, and Hilton International. He has also been a TV chef and judge on the popular reality cooking shows MasterChef and Junior MasterChef in Indonesia. Chef Degan's association with the Black Forest goes back to a long-standing friendship with Hotel Traube Tonbach's assistant culinary director, Chef Henry Oskar Fried, with whom he shared apprenticeship years at Hotel zur Pfalz in Kandel, Rheinland-Pfalz, in 1984.

Setyo Widhyarto, currently working as Executive Sous Chef at Raffles Jakarta, brings 20 years of experience in the culinary industry. He has been involved behind the scenes as a food producer at MasterChef Indonesia and has authored two cookbooks on modern Indonesian food, one of which was a collaboration with Chef Norman Ismail. His passion for Indonesian cuisine and creativity in the kitchen will be a valuable asset to this event.

Norman Ismail, is a well-known celebrity chef and TV host with 20 years of experience in various five-star hotels and restaurant operations. He has hosted several popular cooking shows in Indonesia, co-authored numerous cookbooks, and served as a judge for various cooking competitions. His culinary expertise and charisma will undoubtedly shine through in the dishes he helps create for this event