Nov 28, 2025
Bali Culinary Pastry School Approaches 10 Years: A Decade of Culinary Education, Opportunity and Stewardship
Bali Culinary Pastry School (BCPS) approaches its 10th anniversary in February 2026, marking an important moment of reflection. What began in 2016 with just six students has grown into one of Bali’s most respected professional schools in culinary and pastry bakery arts, shaped by its people, values and purpose. Today, BCPS is recognised for nurturing young talent, building global pathways and creating meaningful opportunities for young Indonesians.
Located within Bali International Training and Development Centre (BITDeC) as part of Nyanyi Bali’s education pillar, BCPS plays a vital role in a living ecosystem shaped by stewardship, cultural continuity and long-term development for future generations. The school was founded on the belief of Made Ariani Siswanto that education preserves legacy and transforms lives, a vision inspired by her late father, the founder of BITDeC.
This guiding principle continues to shape the school’s journey: expanding access to culinary education for Balinese and Indonesians nationwide, while also welcoming students from around the world, adopting English as the daily training language to prepare students for global careers, and building international partnerships that offer real-world industry exposure across Indonesia, France, Italy, Hong Kong and beyond.
A Decade of Transformation and Impact
Across ten years, BCPS’s growth reflects its mission to open pathways and uplift young Indonesians through professional education. Its key milestones include:
- 1,000 Graduates Across Indonesia and Beyond
Since 2016, BCPS has produced over 1,000 graduates from its full-time and non–full-time programs. The school welcomes students from 66 cities across Indonesia and 10 nationalities, reflecting its strong national reach and growing global appeal.
- Commitment to Accessible Education
Starting last year, BCPS began offering full scholarships for students with limited access to formal education, continuing the family’s legacy of educational inclusion. The school also partners with local organization to support Balinese children from rural areas, helping them begin their culinary journey and build a brighter future.
- Expanding Global Footprints Through International Internships
Since 2023, BCPS has placed more than 60 students in six-month international internships across France, Italy and Hong Kong. They trained in distinguished establishments, including Relais & Châteaux properties and Michelin-starred restaurants such as La Maison Paul Bocuse, Don Alfonso, Guy Lassauaie and Mosu. These opportunities give students valuable global exposure and the chance to learn from world-class chefs.
In 2025, a major milestone was achieved when one BCPS student was offered a full-time position at Paul Bocuse Restaurant after her internship, becoming the first Indonesian woman to join this historic French kitchen.
- Strengthening International Academic Partnerships
BCPS continues to expand its global collaborations through partnerships with CFAiE and Lycée Hôtelier Le Touquet in France. These initiatives include a five-day immersive culinary program that allows students to experience international culinary education firsthand and broaden their global perspective.
- Elevating Culinary Education with an Innovative Pedagogy Framework
BCPS has introduced a modern pedagogical approach that emphasizes savoir-faire (technical mastery) and savoir-être (professional attitude). Guided by M.O.F. Christophe Quantin, this method strengthens learning through structured repetition, precise gestures, and the integration of skills, knowledge, and attitude. It delivers a training experience that mirrors real industry environments and prepares students for global professional standards.
This transformation is embodied by Priska Cinthia Sondakh, now Deputy School Director, who joined BCPS in 2015. “Education is about transforming lives. At BCPS, I’ve seen students arrive unsure of what it means to be a professional chef, and 12 or 18 months later graduate with confidence, passion, and purpose. Their journey reminds us why we strive for excellence, because shaping people’s lives is the most meaningful work we do. That is the heart of BCPS.”
Where Students Become the Next Stewards
BCPS’s impact is most clearly reflected in its students and alumni, individuals who return not only with technical mastery, but with a deep sense of responsibility to uplift their communities.
Among them is Natasha Rachel, Industry Access Program Batch V, who began as a student and now serves as an Assistant Chef Instructor before joining the opening team of Kōro Bali. “My journey began at BCPS, where I grew not only as a chef but as a person. BCPS opened doors for me, from Bali to France. After learning from some of the best kitchens, I’m grateful to return and support students who are beginning the same journey I once took,” said Rachel.
Another example is Wayan Sudiarta, Professional Chef Culinary Batch XI, a sponsored student whose journey from rural Bali to professional kitchens reflects BCPS’s belief that when young people are nurtured in the right environment and given real opportunities, they discover confidence, purpose, and their place in the culinary world.
Together, these stories embody BCPS’s conviction that talent exists everywhere and opportunity is the bridge that transforms lives.
The Next Chapter: 2026 and Beyond
Entering its 10th year in 2026, the school prepares to launch the Bali Chocolatier Pâtissier Professional School program, expanding its pathways into origin-focused pastry and chocolate craftsmanship. Designed at the intersection of sustainability, artistry and innovation, the program trains chefs to understand chocolate not just as an ingredient, but as a story of land, people, and purpose.
Founder Ariani Siswanto reflects, “Ten years later, the mission remains the same: nurture world-class professionals with purpose and passion. The work continues, and so does the responsibility to teach, to empower, and to create opportunities that last beyond a single generation.”
