G48 - acronym for Good for Eats is a concept of fine dining at your home brought to reality by two incredibly talented chefs, Ivan Wibowo and Fernando Sindu, who have trained and created culinary delicacies in some of the best restaurants in the world. With these talented chefs in your own kitchen, the thought of eating out is non-existent.

On the first and last weekend of every month, only at The Cook Shop, G48 showcase their fine dining talents holding a pop up brunch for the public to enjoy.

Chef Ivan, a Food Science graduate had always been fascinated by food, shadowing his mother and frequently helping out in the kitchen. With his interest in cooking coupled with a food technology background, he started developing recipes and using his creativity to alter foods and flavors.

Fernando on the other hand, did not have the initial back up of his family. His family insisted he do a computer science degree instead. He fulfilled this degree and worked in the technology industry for a number of years, however, his passion and determination to be a chef could not be overpowered. He was persistent in attending a culinary school.

It was at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA)  where the two chefs finally met. After their studies they both worked their way up and joined various renowned restaurants and some of the finest Michelin star restaurants the world has to offer. It was when they were both back in Jakarta when G48 was born with enormous support from family and friends.

The Cook Shop, part of JAPFA Group offers a unique concept. They are not a restaurant but act as outlet for events. They work with outside parties as well as their own chefs to cater to private dining events at their location.

With top-notch food at reasonable prices, reservations fill up. The Cook Shop takes reservations between 10am to 3pm. We were lucky enough to secure a place at 10am despite being last minute.

Upon arrival, we stumbled into a shop before entering the actual restaurant, hence the name, The Cook Shop. The shop consists of food manufactured by Indonesian company group JAPFA.

Greeted and offered a seat in front of the Chef’s cooking platform, we were very pleased to learn that the young chefs will be working their culinary magic eye to eye with us.

A one pager menu has an eclectic selection of appetizer, Western, Asian invasion, and sweet temptation. G48 offers caffeine and non caffeine drinks.

Given a few suggestions, we ordered an Umami Rice Bowl consisting of steam rice, slow cook short ribs, roasted eggplant, and braised shitake mushrooms. Candied shallots, coriander leaves and fried garlic made up the sauce.

Classic Benediction is a dish of two poached eggs, smoked salmon, corn fritters, guacamole, and Hollandaise sauce on artisanal toast with Highland petite salad. 

A new cuisine on the Asian Invasion menu is Curry me hurry, a frothy mixture of chicken and rice.

All food chopped, seasoned and cooked in front us; Chef Fernando and Ivan were kind and cheerful, giving fine responses to our endless arrays of questions about their backgrounds and their thoughts on food.

All food was excellent, delicately composed, and extraordinary in taste. The unconventional mixtures of different flavors bursting in our mouths made it highly noticeable that these chefs are extensively trained and experienced.

Cozy, relaxed, and delightful, make sure to book in advance to enjoy the perfect brunch everyone has been looking for in Jakarta.

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Images: G48. The Cook Shop, Omar Niode Foundation