Born into a farming family from Cirebon, Alfan Musthafa is now known as a chef who won the title of Queenland Chef of the Year 2025. How did his culinary career develop?
Winning the title of Queensland Chef of the Year 2025 didn't instantly come for Alfan Musthafa. The owner and head chef of a Brisbane restaurant admits that his culinary journey hasn't always been smooth sailing.
Born as the grandson of a farmer, Chef Alfie—as he's affectionately known—spent several years living with his grandparents in the village and joining them in the rice fields every day. However, it's what his grandmother did every time they returned from the fields that sticks in his mind.
"My grandmother always cooked for the extended family at home," Chef Alfie told SBS Indonesian. "Every time she cooked, there was a unique aroma that she created which made me happy."
Food can bring people to come together, to connect, sharing stories, creating memories, or reminiscing about good memories.Alfan Musthafa -- Queensland Chef of the Year 2025
Chef Alfie said he wanted to become a chef and continued cooking to carry on what his grandmother did for his family.
After being laid off in Australia, how did Chef Alfie become the owner of a restaurant in Brisbane and also win the Queensland Chef of the Year's title this year?
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