On the occasion of Thanksgiving Holiday, The Omar Niode Foundation joined together with The Cook Shop and presented a Charity Brunch which was held on Sunday, 1 December 2013. It was a fund raising event to support Omar Niode Foundation’s Scholarship Funds for Agriculture, Food and Culinary Arts.

The Cook Shop is the brand image of Japfa Group, located in South Jakarta. Its facilities consist of two parts with rustic theme. The shop displays products from Japfa Group such as Greenfields, So Good, So Nice, Santori, Tokusen and So Fresh. The restaurant, with a cooking theater facility, is by reservation only with a minimum of 10 participants and serves food using Japfa Group products.

The charity brunch was also expected to raise awareness that the vast land of Indonesia has a lot of potentials and the country needs skilled human resources to boost its agriculture, food and culinary diversity.

Invitees to the event included the Director General for Tourism Destination Development Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy who welcomed the Charity Brunch. At the end of 2012, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Indonesia, formally announced the Indonesian Traditional Culinary Icons, beginning with 30 dishes from all over the archipelago to preserve the nation’s traditional culinary heritage.

Also attending the private brunch, guided by Chichi Bernardus, food writer and editor-in-chief of Women’s Health Indonesia, were bankers and other young urban professionals, including Sandiaga S. Uno CEO and Cofounder of Saratoga Capital.  Culinary enthusiasts, food writers and bloggers, seated and chatted around tables set with elegant tableware ranges decorated with flowers.

“We are honored to be supported by caring individuals such as Suzy Hutomo, Mariza Hamid and Dian Afriyanie. This special event, encouraged by the food industry had a tremendous turnout that raised awareness as well as resources for The Omar Niode Foundation’s Scholarship Funds,” said Terzi Niode, Secretary of the Omar Niode Foundation.

Munyatul Islamiyah, an alumna of the Food Science and Technology Department of Bogor Agricultural University gave a testimony on her experience as one of the recipients of Omar Taraki Niode MSc. thesis scholarship.

The Charity Brunch was the second collaboration between Omar Niode Foundation and Japfa Group. Earlier this year the Group supported Patali (Market) Day, in celebration of agriculture, food and culinary arts.

PT Japfa Comfeed Indonesia Tbk. is one of the largest and most integrated agri-food companies in the country. Its core business activities include animal feed manufacturing, chicken breeding, poultry processing and aquaculture farming. By linking its upstream and downstream operations, it is able to guarantee superior quality outputs at every level - from feed to value-added food products.

The able chefs of The Cook Shop prepared food for the Charity Brunch with quality ingredients for a sandwich menu consisting of tomato soup as starter, panini bread, beef, cheese, tomato, arugula, scrambled eggs and French fries.

Fresh vegetables, under the brand Highland Vegetables are produced in the mountains of Java by PT. Cibadak Agri, as import quality products for the premium domestic market. A wide range of products, and a strong cold chain and distribution system are integral to its strategy resulting in fresh and healthy products.

Dilmah Tea, Coffesso coffee and a traditional Kue Perahu from Gorontalo as dessert completed the memorable Charity Brunch. Mona Melanie Djamal of SADAPU Gorontalo Delicacy prepared Kue Perahu, which texture is similar to panna cotta, from palm sugar, coconut milk, chopped walnuts, and pandan leaves as boat shaped containers.

Dilmah’s tea sommelier presented an unmatched selection of teas. The variety, tasted by the Charity Brunch guests includes traditional Speciality Tea, Herbal Infusions, pure Green Tea, Fun flavored Tea, Spiced Chais, Organic Tea, boutique Watte and t-series.

Coffesso brings a concept of single origin Indonesian coffee in a simpliest way to enjoy it as espresso. Four legends of Indonesian coffee introduced by Coffesso includes: Mandailing, Kintamani, Celebes and Papua. Each offers a unique profiles that brings a unique coffee journey in every single cup from the jewel of the equator.

To help with the fund raising efforts, Panasonic Gobel Indonesia donated home entertainment and kitchen appliances for raffle drawings. The company which has a very long history in Indonesia is committed to creating a better life and a better world, continuously contributing to the evolution of society and to the happiness of people around the globe.

More nice surprises for the charity brunch were door prizes ranged from meatballs from Japfa, cherry tomatoes from Highland Vegetables and coffee machine from Coffesso.

All of the proceeds from the Charity Brunch benefited The Omar Niode Foundation’s Scholarship Programs including Omar Taraki Niode MSc. Thesis Scholarships and travel awards for students and faculty members to participate in scientific meetings.

“We hope through this brunch, specially crafted with Japfa quality products in The Cook Shop, designed for a meaningful charity event, guests will leave the place feeling good and satisfied,” said Megasari, Manager of The Cook Shop.

In wishing us luck prior to the event, Leonnie Merinsca, the owner of Beyond Treats an allergen-free bakeshop summed up the event perfectly: “People gather to eat good food, try their luck with some raffle tickets, having fun and giving back for a good cause, sounds like a recipe for a great charity event.”

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Images: Ivan Natadjaja, Monchichi Photography