The multi award-winning chef-owners of Locavore
I hope that what we're doing is getting people to realise just how amazing Indonesian produce is...
Tell us your story – how did you get here?
Ray: I spent my childhood in Jakarta, and after high school, I got sent away by my parents to go overseas to do something that I wasn’t keen on. Obviously, that didn’t work out. So after skipping so many classes, I decided to go to a cooking school, which turns out, was the right move for me! After a few years working abroad, I decided to go back to Jakarta where I met Eelke in 2008. And with the huge support from the people around me such as my wife, my son and our hard-working team, I got to where I am today.
Eelke: Personally I don’t think my story is that interesting – I simply got lucky by being born in a little countryside village in the south of Holland. My parents really let me make my own decisions, and for some reason, I chose for my future to be in the kitchen. So I spent a lot of time working my ass off, starting from when I was 14 years-old. I got my first job in a little kitchen back home in Holland, and the rest is history involving hard work and lots of coincidences…
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Ray: To have built the Locavore family and to have grown together with them, in good times and in tough times too. On a personal level, knowing that my 10 year-old son thinks that what I’m doing is pretty cool, I take that as my big accomplishment!
Eelke: My two sons, though I’m not sure if having kids is an accomplishment! Aside from that, keeping our restaurants open and our teams employed during two years of the pandemic is definitely an achievement.
What impact have you made in Bali?
Ray: Tough question, I don’t think that is for me to answer… But I hope that what we’re doing is getting people to realise just how amazing Indonesian produce is.
Eelke: Wow, no idea really… I don’t think cooks make too much of an impact to be honest. I hope I taught some kids how to become better cooks, and to be more responsible for their surroundings. I’ve never tried to aim too big…
What does the future look like for you?
Ray: The future looks very exciting as we have some new projects happening, including NXT.
Eelke: Crazy busy as we are relocating our restaurant in the coming months into something that is closer to our dream restaurant, and opening four other concepts kind of at the same time…
What do you love most about Bali?
Ray: Bali being Bali of course! The landscape and the culture…
Eelke: The people, hard stop!
What's the best meal you've ever eaten, and why?
Ray: Any food memories that involve my late mum; anything cooked by her. Or otherwise, anything from a small Padang restaurant inside a traditional market in Jakarta…
Eelke: I think I still need to have my best meal ever. But honestly, every meal with close family and friends is a great meal.
Who is your Local Legend and why?
Ray: There are numerous local legends to choose from, but I would like to give a shout-out to all the Bapak and Ibu, as well as everyone who contributes to making Bali a better place. Whether it’s the Arak makers from Singaraja who preserve Balinese traditions, to the school teachers and any individuals who show great care for our great nature!
Eelke: My wife Dewi for sticking with me all these years and bringing up our two amazing kids. I hope that counts. Ray comes in a close second!