Renu Roesdi's Story, Raup Omzet Rp433 Million Through Indonesian Restaurant Fine Dining Miss Sweet In The Netherlands

Yau Roesdi (right) with her husband Eduard Roesdi. (Photo: Mery Handayani/VOI)

OEGSTGEEST - Indonesian restaurants can be very easy to find in the Netherlands, compared to other European regions.

The average restaurant in Indonesia in the mill country serves food in the 'rijstafel' or with lots of dishes.

However, not with Ms. Sweet Restaurant. Renu Roesdi's restaurant and her husband Eduard Roesdi offered something different, namely serving Indonesian food in the style of fine dining.

Rou said that the idea came after a long time managing an Indonesian cooking shop, Iboe Tjilik.

He and his husband as chef or chef saw that there was no Indonesian restaurant with a different concept.

Finally, continued renu, she and her husband also succeeded in realizing their dream of bringing Indonesian cuisine to a higher level by opening the Miss Sweet Restaurant.

"It's only been a year (My sweet friend) is self-sufficient and very okay. Because we have a different concept. I think it can be said that before one year it has been a break event, so it's good news for the restaurant is not easy," he said when met by VOI at Oegstgeest, Netherlands, written Wednesday, May 22.

renu said that the restaurant received a positive response. Because the menu offered is rarely available in the Netherlands such as Karedok, Soto Kudus, Arsik Fish, Mangut Fish, Nasi Ulam to Somay Bandung.

In fact, he said, the turnover he got ranged from 25,000 euros or equivalent to Rp433.9 million per month.

Our Omzet ranges from 20,000 to 25,000 euros. We only open four days Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Because at this time it is very difficult for us to get employees here, so we open only for dinner. With a lunch, there must be two employee shifts," he explained.

Despite having a promising turnover, Eduard Roesdi said he had no intention of opening another branch. Because, he said that a fine dining restaurant needs special attention from a chef or chef.

"No, I don't think so. Because this requires chef's attention. So it can't be in two places. But the hope is that it can open to serve lunch," said Eduard.

Struggle To Build A Food Business In The Era Of The COVID-19 Pandemic

Rou also shared his struggle to build a fine dining food business. When he decided to build a business, he said, the world was being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the opening of restaurants must be postponed.

As a result, he said, the cost of renting a place must also be extended until the opening time of the restaurant. Thus, additional funds are needed to pay the rent of the place.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his husband decided to renovate their place of business to build the Miss Sweet Restaurant.

Then, continued renu, in the middle of renovations, PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or BNI was present to offer funding assistance to develop its restaurant.

"We did get a loan from BNI. Because COVID-19 opened the Miss Sweet Restaurant a bit backwards. We used this (defense from BNI), right, we rented this when COVID-19, so the rent was also a bit long before opening. So for the first months of opening assisted by BNI, "he explained.

renu also said that previously he was a customer of BNI, he was walking alone in building his needs.

This includes looking for spices and ingredients for Indonesian native cuisine.

Two years ago we became BNI customers. Before becoming customers, we walked our own way of developing our business," he said.

After becoming a BNI customer, he said, getting original ingredients is much easier. In fact, Miss Sweet Restaurant is also known in Indonesia.

"With the help of BNI, we are assisted in finding Indonesian spices. Such as kecombrang, Andaliman, and others, assisted by BNI. I think Indonedia also knows us, not only in the Netherlands," he explained.