Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay

Four Seasons Tenure

• Since 2015
• First Four Seasons Assignment: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay

Employment History

• Bali Catering Company; Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay; The Laguna, A Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali; Grand Hyatt Bali.

Education

• Sekolah Tinggi Pariwisata Nusa Dua Bali, Management of Food and Beverage Program
• Competitions: SVF Balinese Rijstaffel, SVF Balinese Rijstaffel SVF Bali Culinary Challenge, FHT Bali Salon Culinaire, Inter Food Bali Culinaire Challenge, Salon Culinaire 2014 (Diploma), Salon Culinaire 2016 (Silver)

Birthplace

• Denpasar, Bali

Languages Spoken

• Balinese, Indonesian, English

As Head Chef of Jala Cooking Academy at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, Chef Surya channels his deep love of Balinese food, heritage, and culture into culinary experiences that connect guests to Bali’s soul.

"Growing up in Bali, food and culture have always been deeply connected," Chef Surya explains. "That’s why I like to honour our tradition at Jala, not only through cooking but by sharing the stories behind our cuisine.”

In the small village in which he was raised, Surya's community honoured every aspect of Balinese tradition. From daily market visits during his school holidays to buy and cook fish with his family to boat trips with his father - and his fishermen friends - to learn essential techniques, cultural connection underpinned culinary experience. And that's even before the unifying aspect of the island's annual roster of festivals and celebrations.

“During ceremonies, the entire banjar (local community) comes together to prepare local dishes using ingredients from the land," he explains. "Once everything is ready, we gather for megibung, a communal meal where everyone eats together, complete with sacred offerings prepared to honour all parts of our tradition."  

Revelling in these shared creative and communal experiences, Surya began carving out a career for himself as a chef, refining his craft at some of Bali’s leading hotels. He joined Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay in 2015, and shortly after scooped a silver medal at Bali Salon Culinaire – one of Indonesia's top cooking competitions.

But it was in Jala Cooking Academy that he found the perfect outlet for his culinary-cultural passion. As part of the Cooking Academy experience, he leads tours of the historic Jimbaran Fish Market: watching the local fishermen unload the morning’s catch from their traditional jukung boats and guiding guests through the bustling stalls. He shares top tips on how locals shop for seafood - skills he learned as a child - and gives fascinating insights into the heritage of Jimbaran's ancient seaside village. “The market is alive with stories,” he says, “and I love sharing them with visitors.”

Back in Jala Academy’s state-of-the-art kitchen, Chef Surya creates a welcoming space for hands-on learning. Inspired by vibrant local spices and fresh ingredients, guests work alongside him to prepare authentic Balinese dishes such as fish cooked pepes-style, grilled prawns with Balinese spices, and seafood salad. Chef Surya also loves guiding families through the art of Balinese desserts and introducing the bold regional flavours of Indonesian dishes from Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi.

Beyond the kitchen, Surya enjoys spending time in the great outdoors. “Bali’s natural beauty and connection to the land is perhaps my greatest inspiration,” he says. “It reminds me of why I love sharing our culture - to ensure Bali’s deeply held traditions are honoured.”