The Omar Niode Foundation, established in 2009, is a nonprofit organization working to raise awareness on the quality of education and human resources in the field of agriculture, food, and culinary arts.

The Foundation focuses on Gorontalo Cuisines and Food Travel with hope to explore its culinary richness and benefits for local communities.

Gorontalo, on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia, is a province with scenic landscapes such as forests, rice fields, beaches, underwater views, hills, rivers and lake. Although best known as the ancestral land of one Indonesian president, several renowned thinkers and national businesspeople who enjoyed food from this area, Gorontalo has not yet become a destination for foodies.

This post is a living document that lists activities where Omar Niode Foundation was involved in to promote Gorontalo Food Travel. Some items have links to our blogposts on the events.

Visit our website www.omarniode.org and follow us on twitter @omarniode for information and views on travel, agriculture, food and culinary writing, including on Gorontalo.

Ubud Food Festival  

The Ubud Food Festival held from 5 to 7 June 2015 was a world-class culinary event that showcased Indonesia’s diverse cuisine, innovative chefs and extraordinary local produce. We presented in the Food Forum: Coconuts and Coffee in Borderline Islands. Ubud, Bali 6 June 2015

Trailing the Taste of Gorontalo. We published a book about food travel in Gorontalo. 138 pages. Bilingual. Size 14.25 cm x 18 cm. ISBN: 978-602-96401-9-9

Gorontalo Lunch with Slow Food International Program Director for Asia and Oceania, Elena Aniere. Served Tumpeng Gorontalo. Jakarta 29 May 2015.

Gorontalo Food Travel . Arranged by Kelana Rasa for 16 participants. Gorontalo 8 – 10 May 2015

RRI Gorontalo - National Public Radio. An interactive program on Indonesia and Gorontalo food diversity with Arie Parikesit, Kelana Rasa founder and culinary travel guide. Gorontalo 9 May 2015

Youth Talk Food Travel. An Earth Day event. An event with youth with several sessions: information sharing on local food with Ade Putri Paramaditha and Rahung, tips on food business with Ms. Swan Kumarga, owner of Dapur Solo, tasting binthe biluhuta. Jakarta 22 April 2015

World Food Travel Association, Online Food Travel Summit.  Eight interactive sessions, led by leading food travel visionaries illuminated important trends, insights and strategies critical to jump-starting new food travel businesses and strengthening existing food travel operations. Presented a case study: Indonesia as an emerging foodie destination. Worldwide 10 April 2015.

RRI Gorontalo National Public Radio An interactive program on Gorontalo local corns with Anie Annisa, Maize Super Woman, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). Gorontalo 26 March 2015

Food Photography Coaching Clinic Gunawan Wijaya, Assistant Curator Galeri Foto Jurnalistik ANTARA. Gorontalo 22 March 2015.

Focus Group Discussion – Gorontalo Culinary Trail- Facts and Stories of the Past. Gorontalo 21 March 2015.

Maize Super Woman selected by CIMMYT, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center – Anie Asriani Annisa Hasan from Gorontalo, recommended by Omar Niode Foundation. 8 March 2015

Lamito lo Hulonthalo. Gorontalo food tasting and kopi Pinogu cupping with culinary enthusiasts. Jakarta 6 March 2015

The Global Dinner Table Book. Editor: Ken Albala. Omar Niode Foundation contributes to a chapter on Indonesia Dinner Table, specifically on Gorontalo (in progress)

Sensational Flavors of Gorontalo (in Indonesian). An article publshed in a national media, Harian Nasional 27 February 2015, 2-page spread

Kopi Pinogu Roasting, Grinding, Brewing, Tasting,  Omar Niode Foundation and Yoshua Tanu, Indonesia Barista Champion 2014 and Daryanto Witarsa, top roaster. Both are co-owners of Common Grounds Coffee Roastery. Jakarta 17 January 2015

Gorontalo Food Travel with 6 travelers from Jakarta. Gorontalo, 28 – 31 December 2014

Conversation on Gorontalo Food Diplomacy and Food Travel. Gorontalo, 28 December 2014.

Gorontalo Food Tasting, Gorontalo, 28 December 2014.

RRI Gorontalo National Public Radio. An interactive program on exploring Gorontalo food diversity with Omar Niode Foundation , 30 December 2014

The Delicious Dishes of the Archipelago (in Indonesian). An article published in a national media, Harian Nasional 14 December 2014, 2-page spread.

Traditional Archipelago Food Tourism Week. Participants from all provinces in Indonesia. Omar Niode Foundation arranged for a Gorontalo food booth and food tasting. Jakarta 12-14 December 2014

Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2014.  The Festival is Southeast Asia's largest and most renowned cultural and literrary event. Presentation on the Street Food of Gorontalo. Ubud, 2 October 2014

Seminar on Exploring Food Travel and its Business. A collaboration between Omar Niode Foundation, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, and World Food Travel Association. Attendance 300 people, 29 September 2014.

Booklet on Gorontalo, The Charms of Flora, Fauna & Food Travel.  July 2014.

Potlucks with ACMI (I Love Indonesian Cooking):

a. Assorted Glutinous Rice Dishes. Katrisolo, 14 January 2015

b. Assorted Porridges. Diniyohu, 16 July 2014

c. Assorted Satays from the Archipelago. Sate Balanga, 28 May 2014

d. Food with the Most Spices. Tabu Moitomo, 28 March 2014

Gorontalo Food Tasting  with William Wongso, chef, culinary diplomacy expert and restaurateur. Jakarta 16 June 2014.

Mini Survey/Snapshot on the Popularity of Gorontalo Food. Gorontalo 22 June 2014

Food Revolution Day.  Local Culinary Delicacy. Part of Jamie Oliver Foundation’s Global Event. Attendance 200 people 18 May 2014

Gorontalo as a Foodie Destination. Focus Group Discussion, Gorontalo, 20 April 2014

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