Minister Sandiaga Wants Medan To Be The Capital Of Indonesia... But Culinary Affairs

Bobby Nasution (Photo via Pemko Medan)

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno said The Kitchen of Asia, which is being developed by Mayor Bobby Nasution at Kesawan City Walk, could make Medan the Culinary Capital of Indonesia.

This was conveyed by Sandiaga after hearing Bobby Nasution's presentation about The Kitchen of Asia in the 2021 Indonesian Creative Appreciation Talk Show, Monday 8 November at Delipark Podomoro City Medan.

Bobby Nasution came there with his wife Kahiyang Ayu, who is the Chair of the Regional National Crafts Council (Dekranasda) of Medan City. Said President Jokowi's son-in-law, Medan not only has a variety of culinary specialties from North Sumatra, but also Indonesia, and even Asia.

Medan's culinary delights have also been tested. The Kitchen of Asia, or the Asian Kitchen, carries the concept of not only selling the delicacy, but also the manufacturing process as well as the narrative of the culinary.

"The kitchen, which used to be invisible as much as possible, is now being shown. The process of making culinary delights will also be an attraction in itself. Likewise, the narratives about the cuisine will add value to the dish," said Bobby Nasution, quoted from the Medan City Government.

"This concept is right and Medan's culinary delights," said Sandiaga.

Not only that, Sandiaga also assessed that the concept of an 'open kitchen' can be interpreted as opening up business opportunities and employment opportunities.

"This open kitchen also means opening up business opportunities and employment opportunities," he said. Kahiyang Ayu who is also the Chairman of the TP PKK Medan also spoke in the talk show.

He said, for culinary, Medan has been tested and there is no need to doubt it. Nevertheless, these culinary development programs will continue to be carried out. In addition, he continued, currently Dekranasda and TP PKK Medan are also concerned about the fashion sub-sector.

Efforts are being made to explore materials and motifs typical of the ethnic in Medan into fashion designs so that they are known both nationally and globally.

"We invite MSMEs and creative economy actors in the fashion sector to explore materials and ethnic motifs, such as ulos, songket," he said.

Sandiaga also agreed with Kahiyang's efforts to explore ethnic materials and motifs in Medan to develop the fashion sub-sector. Even Sandiaga admitted that the clothes he wore at this event were the designs of creative economy actors assisted by the Medan City Dekranasda.

"The clothes I'm wearing are the designs of creative economy actors assisted by Mrs. Kahiyang, assisted by the Medan Dekranasda. This fashion design is not only contemporary, but also has an element of tradition, namely ulos," said Sandiaga and was immediately greeted by applause from the audience.

Furthermore, in the same session, Kahiyang also said that the product quality of creative economy players and SMEs in Medan must of course be accompanied by creative and quality packaging as well. In this regard, Kahiyang believes that the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy will support creative economy actors and MSMEs in Medan to make creative and quality packaging.

Responding to this, Sandiaga said that his party has a program called Bedakan. This program will dissect the design and packaging of Indonesian and craft culinary products. Sandiaga said that creative economy players and Medan SMEs could participate in this program.

"Later, we will cooperate with the Medan Dekranasda as well as with the Medan City Cooperatives and SMEs Office," promised Sandiaga.