Behind the design: Room4Dessert's 20/20:Hindsight

We first met Will Goldfarb all the way back in 2017 when he agreed to step on the TEDxUbud stage. Luckily it didn't seem to put him off us and we found ourselves reunited with him and his team in 2020 for a very exciting project- 20/20:Hindsight. Part one involved Elami and Co matching 6 of our favorite artists to 6 trail-blazing chefs from around the world, invited to Bali by Room4Dessert for a series of dinners all in aid of raising funds for the amazing KIM Woman's Center in Ubud. We created the posters for each Chef after pairing them with a specific artwork from the Bali-based artists. 

Will mentioned he liked the idea of each dinner have its own artwork and all of them together looking like a collection of record covers. The typefaces were chosen to live up to the standard of the Room4Dessert brand, modern but classic, and suitable for both print and digital. We went to two of our favorite type foundries, Colophon and Sharp Type and proceeded to geek out as usual over the custom typefaces. The choice of typeface really gives a personality to a piece. Even if you’re not into design, it subconsciously conveys a huge part of the story.

Part two is being led by Maya Kerthyasa, who will be crafting some incredible experiences and itineraries for each Chef in the lead up to the final dinner. We're looking forward to seeing what unfolds!

About the event: 

"Hindsight is our way of showing how clear our vision is, looking backwards of course. Selecting six of our favorite chefs to interact with Balinese culture, producers, artists, musicians, and of course ingredients. Each menu will be a custom experience based on the Chef’s itineraries. 

First up on April 5 is Dave Pynt from Burnt Ends in Singapore, currently one of the toughest tables to book in the world, and our good friend. Having plied his trade at the estimable Etxebarri, Chef Dave was our first guest chef, and we did our best not to burn the house down. Burnt Ends is currently #59 in the World’s 50 Best List, and showcases Chef Pynt’s vision of the magic of cooking with wood.

Next up, the king of “no such thing as a byproduct, just another product,” and we suspect, secret leader of an underground Danish supergroup, on 24 May, Matt Orlando of Amass, Copenhagen. Having recently expanded to an epic brewery operation (Broaden and Build), Chef Orlando comes to Bali to explore, to revive, and to excite. 

Leading our all female kitchen brigade next is Garima Arora of GAA, Bangkok on 21 June. Chef Garima has wowed critics globally with her personal take on traditional Indian and South Asian flavors, and provided us with one of our most memorable recent meals. (She was also recently named as Best Female Chef in Asia via the San Pellegrino juggernaut.)

Another powerhouse 19 July when Bo and Dylan of Bo-lan arrive to reinterpret traditional Thai food through the R4D pantry. You have likely seen Chef Bo recently on Chef’s Table, but we have been most impressed by the care she and her team take to prepare a basic family meal. 

Following Kadek Catri Diah Wardani’s stage, we were blessed to invite Namae-San of Effervescence in Tokyo, to cook with us 16 August. Chef Namae’s poetic style and outlook have inspired us for years, and this is a special chance to explore Balinese culture and community.

Lastly, but certainly not least, Chef Dan Hunter of Brae, will arrive for 20 September. At Brae, Chef Hunter produces over 90 percent of his ingredients from his surrounding farm, prepared in a signature refined style, that literally needs seeing to believe. His Phaidon book is a new classic, and the elegantly understated rooms at Brae provide a unique window into his all encompassing vision."