Locavore NXT

Biographies of Ray & Eelke

Like so many of the best chefs, the inspiring team behind Bali’s multi-award winning restaurant Locavore began with two passionate children, each on opposite sides of the world, who came together to forge an incredible partnership in cuisine.

Ray Adriansyah was born in Jakarta to Sumatran parents. His mother was an excellent cook and Ray grew up with a deep interest in traditional and international cuisines. While studying in New Zealand, he decided to quit the business school he was attending and switch his passions towards professional cooking. After graduating from culinary school in Christchurch he returned to Jakarta and obtained the position of Sous Chef under Chef Eelke in a city restaurant. They have been working together ever since.

Eelke Plasmeijer started his kitchen career at the age of 14 in a restaurant in his home country of Holland. Working his way up through the ranks, he trained at hotel school and various Michelin starred restaurants. Visiting a mentor in Jakarta in 2006, he was persuaded to take over as Head Chef at a city restaurant there. Ray applied as the Sous Chef, and the two hit it off instantly, soon moving to Bali where they ran the kitchen at the Alila Ubud together. Working within the Alila concept of using local ingredients where possible, the two chefs decided to take it to the next level and use only local food. They then began thinking about starting their own restaurant instead of staying within the hotel industry, and a small restaurant called Locavore was born. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Ten years and quite a few awards later, chefs Eelke and Ray closed Locavore to make way for their new project, Locavore NXT, a ‘more than a restaurant’ experience that takes their sustainable approach to gastronomy further than ever before.