SINGAPORE: Chef Yuda Bustara, an Indonesian culinary expert and YouTube personality, has won the inaugural season of "The Maverick Academy", a cooking contest hosted by Lexus Asia and AR Asia Production.
The five-episode series, which started screening on Netflix on Nov 8 tested eight chefs through challenges designed to assess skill, creativity, and business acumen.
Bustara’s approach secured him the title of "Top Scholar."
The show featured guidance from mentors such as Chef Pam Soontornyanakij and Chef Michael Bonacini, with the finale held at LUMA, an Asia-Pacific restaurant created by Mastercard in partnership with culinary group LUBUDS.
Chef Yuda Bustara emerged as the winner in the inaugural competition. - All photos by AR Asia Production
As the winner, Bustara earned a mentorship and business partnership with "Demon Chef" Alvin Leung and began a three-month traineeship at LUMA last month.
Bustara’s victory reflects his ability to elevate Indonesian cuisine on a global stage. Since 2015, he has grown a YouTube channel focused on simple and healthy recipes, attracting over 560,000 subscribers.
Despite a difficult start in the competition, Bustara’s adaptability and focus on creating tailored dining experiences impressed judges, who highlighted his leadership and hospitality skills.
The Maverick Academy was set up as a platform to inspire aspiring chefs. Lexus has also introduced culinary programmes in Indonesia and Thailand, showcasing local flavours and collaborations with various chefs and restaurants.
