Jakarta. Aryaduta Bali recently hosted its first-ever fruit carving competition at Lippo Mall Kuta.

The competition was part of the Sapta Rasa Campaign, a culinary celebration that will run from May to August 2024 across all Aryaduta Hotel Group properties.

Aryaduta Bali also launched the Sapta Rasa Food Festival which featured local small businesses as the food-and-beverage (F&B) tenants. Visitors could try out a variety of Indonesian delicacies, including satay, nasi padang, traditional snacks and drinks. The participating vendors also reported high customer engagement and sales.

As many as eight people took part in the fruit carving competition. They all had to create masterpieces that portray the theme "Conservation of Wildlife Species" within just three hours. The competition had I Ketut Suaryana and I Nyoman Sungada --both licensed judges and professional artists-- as well as Aryaduta Bali's executive chef Ernawati Ginting joining as judges.

Putu Gede Ananta Wijaya, who won first place, brought to life the majestic Sumatran tiger. Native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the critically endangered Sumatran tiger is known for its distinctive dark, dense stripes. Wijaya's intricate carving captures the fierce beauty and grace of the tiger, according to Aryaduta Bali's press release.

The runner-up, I Made Hendra Permana Putra, depicted the vibrant and exotic Bird of Paradise. Native to New Guinea and eastern Australia, the Bird of Paradise is known for its elaborate plumage and complex display. Putra's artwork emphasized the delicate balance of nature and the importance of protecting such unique and beautiful species from extinction.

The third-place winner, I Gede Agustin Anggara Putra, featured a soaring eagle in his creation. A symbol of freedom and the majesty of the natural world, eagles are powerful birds of prey found in different regions of the world. Putra's detailed carving emphasized the eagle's powerful presence and the importance of preserving the habitats of these magnificent birds.

"All participants did a fantastic job! Each masterpiece was outstanding and perfectly aligned with the theme. If I were a judge, I would have found it very difficult to choose the winners. However, the three winners really deserved their awards. We want to nurture young talent in Bali and allow them to shine and explore future possibilities," Aryaduta Bali's general manager RM Rendy Prapanca was quoted as saying in a recent press statement.

Judge I Ketut Suaryana said that the competition showcased both professional and novice participants while hoping to see more events like this that could cultivate young talents.

Fellow judge I Nyoman Sungada added: "I hope that with events like this, we can raise the standard of our fruit carving to compete not only nationally but also internationally."

The event attracted a large crowd, with many spectators gathering in the main atrium of Lippo Mall Kuta to watch the competition unfold.

For more information about future events and offers, visit www.aryaduta.com/bali or contact +62 811-3960-8623 or by email to [email protected].