Throughout July and August, homegrown Indonesian hospitality company, Sarirasa Group, will be putting together exciting cultural events to celebrate their 50th anniversary. The two main events ‘Semesta Rasa’ and ‘Gemah Ripah’ will be huge showcases of Indonesian heritage and tradition, which all are invited to witness.
The Sarirasa Group started their journey in 1974, opening the now ubiquitous Sate Khas Senayan, originally called ‘Satay House Senayana’. Over the decades, the group grew their offerings with catering services, Sate Express Senayan, TeSate, Gopek, TeKote, and more. Though on face value one may perceive these restaurants as today’s everyday staples, they were born from the group’s defining mission “to be a catalyst in introducing, honouring, preserving, and promoting Indonesian’s culinary heritage.” Certainly, Sarirasa has managed to secure a space for traditional dishes in the modern dining landscape, constantly rolling out regional cuisines and specialties to urban diners.
This mission comes from a more general appreciation of Indonesian culture and heritage, something that Sarirasa group hopes to convey in their upcoming 50th anniversary celebrations.
The first will be on 21 July 2024, where a cultural showcase dubbed ‘Semesata Rasa’ (Universal Taste) will be held at Fountain Plaza Senayan, Jakarta. The event will see more than 300 traditional dancers, including some of Sarirasa Group’s own team members, putting on a massive cultural performance. Then, from 9 to 11 August 2024, the ‘Gemah Ripah’ showcase will take place at Atrium Senayan City. This will be a collaboration with Swara Gembira, an organisation-meets-movement focused on making Indonesian traditional arts and culture enticing to younger generations, known for their ‘colossal’ shows.
“Celebrating Sarirasa Group’s 50th anniversary is a significant milestone for us. It’s a time to reflect on our journey, celebrate our achievements, and look forward to continued innovation and growth. We are committed to elevating Indonesian culture and cuisine, both domestically and internationally.” explained Benny Hadisurjo, CEO Sarirasa Group.
Now, when it comes to food, the group has launched a very special dish to mark the 50-year milestone: Nasi Berkat Ulang Tahun. They eye-catching dish is a twist on ‘nasi berkat’, a ritual rice dish traditionally eaten post-prayer, said to provide blessings – perfect for a birthday! The Nasi Berkat Ulang Tahun features a blue rice, infused with butterfly pea flower, plus 12 different side dishes. This is already available at Sate Khas Senayan, TeSate and GOPEK outlets, or as a tumpeng option from Sarirasa Catering.
Last but not least, during this special milestone the group hopes to highlight two special business units that are focused on the longevity of Indonesian food as well as produce, ‘Sarirasa Origin’ and ‘Sarirasa Tanahmula’.
Started in 2019, Sarirasa Origin is dedicated to cultural preservation, promoting, and enhancing Indonesian culinary traditions. The initiative acknowledges that culinary traditions and cultural practices are intertwined, with each dish carrying invaluable stories of history and customs. Meanwhile Sarirasa Tanahmula is the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability, focusing on innovative waste management programs. This initiative aims to minimise ecological footprints and preserve Indonesia’s natural beauty for future generations.
Beyond the anniversary celebrations, Sarirasa Group plans to expand globally by opening outlets in Europe, bringing Indonesian flavors and culture to the international stage.
For more information, visit sarirasa.co.id or follow @sarirasa.group
