Meilati ‘Mei’ Batubara is a culinary entrepreneur and researcher dedicated to preserving Indonesia’s rich and diverse culinary heritage. As Executive Director of Yayasan Gastronomi NUSA Indonesia, she champions sustainable food practices and equitable food policies, while as co-founder of Gastronomi Indonesia NUSA, she leads research into indigenous recipes and ingredients, including the “Pusaka Rasa Nusantara” project. Her work documents regional food traditions and the stories behind them, while also promoting Indonesian artisanal products through Toko RASANUSA and developing culinary education with SOKOLA RASA. Through her work, Mei advocates for food security, healthier lifestyles and community empowerment, positioning herself as a leading voice in Indonesian gastronomy that bridges tradition with sustainable innovation.
Meilati ‘Mei’ Batubara adalah pelaku usaha kuliner dan peneliti yang fokus melestarikan kekayaan kuliner Indonesia. Ia menjabat sebagai Executive Director Yayasan Gastronomi NUSA Indonesia, mendorong praktik pangan yang berkelanjutan dan kebijakan yang lebih adil. Ia juga co-founder Gastronomi Indonesia NUSA, yang meneliti resep dan bahan lokal, termasuk melalui proyek “Pusaka Rasa Nusantara”. Melalui pekerjaannya, Mei mendokumentasikan tradisi kuliner dari berbagai daerah beserta cerita di baliknya. Ia juga mempromosikan produk artisan lokal lewat Toko RASANUSA dan mengembangkan edukasi kuliner melalui SOKOLA RASA. Lewat berbagai inisiatif ini, Mei mendorong ketahanan pangan, gaya hidup yang lebih sehat, serta pemberdayaan komunitas, sekaligus menghubungkan tradisi dengan pendekatan yang lebih berkelanjutan.
Enter the olde-worlde Javanese-style dining room of DI SINI DI SANA by Rachman & Sons and surrender to the pleasures of the humble banana. In Bali, this is not just …
Bananas are one of the most eaten foods on the planet, and one of the most at risk. Over-reliance on monoculture farming has left crops dangerously vulnerable to disease, threatening …
Indonesia’s most beloved ingredient finally gets its moment, celebrated through the lens of Mei Batubara’s book Bananas of the Archipelago. Together with Chef Ragil Iman Wibowo, Mei brings two compelling …
What does cheese tell us about the world? Our culinary experts explore how this humble ingredient connects cultures across the globe, drawing from a global book featuring voices from 45 …
Enter the olde-worlde Javanese-style dining room of DI SINI DI SANA by Rachman & Sons and surrender to the pleasures of the humble banana. In Bali, this is not just …