Meet the Judges

William Wongso embarked on his culinary journey through unconventional means, learning from sidewalk food vendors before delving into formal training. Wongso's quest for culinary mastery led him to various corners of the world. He underwent training in pastry and baking at esteemed institutions such as East Sydney Technical College and the Swiss Masters Bakers and Confectionery programme in Lucerne, Switzerland. His thirst for knowledge took him through extensive training in pastry, baking, chocolate, and ice cream across Europe until 1987. In 2001, he was honoured by France's Ministry of Agriculture with the Chevalier dans l'Ordre National du Merite for his relentless efforts in promoting French cuisine and gastronomy. His dedication to culinary vocational education earned him the Professional Certification Authority (BNSP) award from Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla in 2008. Furthermore, in 2009, Wongso was appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador for South Korea by the Korean Tourism Board.

Rinrin Marinka harbored a deep-seated passion for cooking from a tender age. Her culinary journey began after graduating from Pelita Harapan High School in 1998, where she further honed her skills by obtaining the Grand Diploma in French Cuisine & Patisserie from Le Cordon Bleu in Sydney in September 2002, graduating in April 2004. Upon returning to Indonesia, Rinrin embarked on a remarkable career trajectory, starting with internships at various restaurants in Sydney before dedicating herself to promoting Indonesian cuisine back home. Her talents soon caught the attention of television producers, propelling her to host the popular cooking show Sendok Garpu. Rinrin's culinary prowess reached new heights when she assumed the role of a judge on MasterChef Indonesia. Rinrin ventured into the business world, opening  a café in Jakarta in 2005, and publishing her cookbook in 2011.

Commonly known as “El Hombre”, Agung Satria Wibawa is a prominent figure in Indonesia’s contemporary cocktail and bar scene. Based in Jakarta, he serves as Executive Director of Good Times and works as a beverage consultant, bringing a thoughtful and creative lens to cocktail craft. With a reputation for revisiting classic cocktails and infusing them with subtle local twists, Satria leads projects that bridge traditional bar techniques and modern interpretation. Satria’s approach emphasises quality, narrative and experience. The drinks he crafts are not merely beverages, but stories in glass, rooted in locale yet globally minded. His influence signals how the Indonesian beverage scene is evolving, placing him firmly among its key innovators. 

The Founder, CEO of Exquisite Media Group, Lenny spent the better part of a decade studying and working in the international fashion and luxury media industry prior to returning to Indonesia and launching Exquisite Media in 2010. Originally from Batam, Indonesia, Lenny also lived in Singapore, where she attained a Civil Engineering Bachelor degree from the respected Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) Singapore. With her cosmopolitan background (Chinese-Hong Kong heritage) and years spent travelling the world, she has developed a keen eye for marketing, style and design, as well as creating online platforms for affluent banking in Indonesia and Asia, which includes Mobile Applications, Website Developer, SEO and SEM for various websites. Having worked with multinational companies in the past, as well as various online and print media publications based in Asia, she was certainly prepared for the challenges that Indonesia’s bustling business environment presents.

Growing up in his parents’ restaurant in Puglia, Southern Italy, Maurizio Bombini isn’t a stranger to the fast-paced demands and satisfying rewards of the culinary world. That was the onset of his passion for cooking, which developed over time as he stepped into different roles in prestigious kitchens across the globe, from the MICHELIN-starred Pain, Adour et Fantaisie in France, Le Méridien Beach Plaza in Monte Carlo, The Ritz Carlton Sanya, Yalong Bay in China, to Bvlgari Resort Bali and Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. All these experiences culminated in the opening of his own eponymous restaurant, MAURI in Seminyak, Bali, a return to his Pugliese roots. Here is where his reverence for tradition fuses with a global contemporary perspective, creating a characterful, charming, and soulful interpretation of Italian cooking that is distinctly Maurizio. 

Mirwansyah, often known by the nickname “Bule”’, is a prominent and highly respected bartender and mixologist based in Jakarta. His career in the drinks industry began in 2007, and he has since helped shape Indonesia’s cocktail culture through his work with the UNION Group and as Head Bartender of venues such as Modernhaus, ranked among Asia’s 50 Best Bars. Known for his ingredient-forward approach, Bule emphasises local produce and sustainability in his cocktail creations, while also creating warm, guest-centric bar atmospheres. His creative yet disciplined style makes him a strong judge of bar-craft, flavour, service and the overall guest experience. 

Yuda Bustara embarked on his culinary journey with a deep passion for modern, approachable cuisine. Graduated from Taylor’s College School of Hospitality Tourism in Malaysia, he refined his skills in both Asian and Western culinary arts before returning to Indonesia to make his mark in the food industry. With a dynamic presence in the media, Yuda has hosted several cooking shows, including Asian Food Channel’s Urban Cook show. Recently, he won the prestigious international competition The Maverick Academy, organised by Netflix, and undertook an internship at the renowned LUMA Hong Kong, a restaurant celebrated for its farm-to-table concept and its iconic location at FWD House 1881, under the the mentorship of Michelin-starred Chef Alvin Leung. This experience provides him the opportunity to learn from one of the world’s culinary masters and introduce the rich, bold flavours of Indonesian cuisine to the global stage. His commitment inspires aspiring chefs and food enthusiasts alike, making him a prominent figure in Indonesia’s ever evolving gastronomic landscape. 

Developing a love for cooking since her youth, Devina Hermawan blends Indonesian, Japanese, and Western influences in her culinary creations. She has authored best-selling cookbooks and led numerous culinary-education initiatives, earning recognition for her precise yet creative approach. She has been appointed as a brand ambassador for various national and global leading brands, in addition to running her own bakery and restaurant and working as a culinary consultant for major industry partners. Devina first rose to prominence through MasterChef Indonesia, where her skill and creativity drew national attention. Today, her engaging digital presence and approachable yet refined recipes continue to inspire home cooks and solidify her place in modern Indonesian cuisine.