Nomadic Chef and Forager
At the end of the day, what I do is really my service to nature and humanity. Because life is a gift, and I believe it’s supposed to be useful in one way or another.
Tell us your story – how did you get here?
My name is Dewa Ayu Made, but people know me as Made Masak. Made is my nickname and the word “Masak” means to cook. It basically means cooking with Made.
Masak is very meaningful to me as the word can also be translated as “mature”. Personally, it means the process of becoming more mature in life, together with nature.
Made Masak is now a brand for myself as a Nomadic Chef as well as a forager. I started this career as a chef based in the Food Forest with the goal of reconnecting humans with their food sources and nature, as we sometimes forget that we, as humans, are nature too. Since then, my focus is to constantly introduce my teacher, Nature, to live in harmony with Mother Earth, and that’s why I became a Nomadic Chef and forager.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
The thing that makes me feel like I’m still on the right track is empowering people through food. I use food as my media to share information about nature. I created the Rumah Sehat programme to share with mothers in Bali – I share how to make cooking fun, and how to use natural ingredients that grow wild around us, while also coexisting harmoniously. All of this is to give a sense of confidence and pride in living with the natural wealth that we have in Bali, and living in harmony with it.
I have also become a consultant in several restaurants to motivate them through becoming more informed about local products, by bringing a sense of confidence in being Balinese, and taking part in protecting Bali’s nature.
What impact have you made in Bali?
I never really thought too deep about the impact that I’ve made through what I do. Because when I do what I do, I feel happy and alive. But, I believe that with everything that I make, there will always be a cause and therefore, a result.
Personally, what I’m doing right now is equal to spreading the seeds in the garden. If it grows, it grows. If it doesn’t, it’s alright too. At the end of the day, what I do is really my service to nature and humanity. Because life is a gift, and I believe it’s supposed to be useful in one way or another.
What does the future look like for you?
The future looks abundant, and this abundance is rightfully accessible to us. Living and eating healthy is everyone’s right. Therefore, it’s our duty to work together alongside nature.
What do you love most about Bali?
The culture, the friendliness of the people, and nature.
What's the best meal you've ever eaten, and why?
Eel Pepes. The eel that we catch from the rice fields shows how healthy the soil is, and that’s why they live there.
Who is your Local Legend and why?
My Local Legend is Ida Rahayu – she’s a teacher at Green School and she’s the Founder of Cita Bumi Rahayu. It’s a foundation that gives education about green living to local teachers in Bali, and that good education is not only for those who are privileged – it is for everyone.