#CucaCares: Caring for Our Team

At Cuca, it has always been about people. From the very beginning, we knew that skills could be taught, but heart could not. So, we chose to build our team not by searching for the most polished resumes, but by believing in raw potential, in dreams waiting for a chance.

Since day 1 we opened our doors to young Indonesians, many of them without any experience but with an undeniable spark—the kind that just needed care to catch fire. Today, when we look around and see that all four of our Chefs de Cuisine started 11 years ago as stewarding staff, washing dishes and learning one small step at a time, our hearts swell with quiet pride as seeing them lead our kitchens and a team of more than 50 cooks with passion and pride. Their journeys are a daily reminder that when people are given a chance—and the right support—they can become extraordinary.

But for us, caring for our team has never been just about work. It’s about life. We come together every week for sessions that go far beyond the kitchen, sharing knowledge about nutrition, sustainability, financial planning, first aid, family health, and so much more. We believe that when our team grows stronger and wiser in their lives, they naturally shine brighter at Cuca too.

Through our internship program, we welcome young talents from across Indonesia’s many islands, hoping not just to teach them, but to learn from them—to share stories, traditions, laughter, and lessons that make us all better, together. Some stay and grow within Cuca; others take what they’ve learned into the world, creating ripples of kindness and excellence in places we may never see but always hope to touch.

Beyond our walls, we try to sow seeds of inspiration wherever we can—partnering with schools and universities, hosting field trips and workshops, and celebrating Bali’s rich heritage through activities that remind us all where we come from and why it matters.

At Cuca, we don’t just build careers, we build a family. A family stitched together by dreams, hard work, laughter, lessons, and an unshakable belief that caring makes all the difference.

Every smile you see here, every warm gesture, every dish lovingly prepared—it all comes from a place of gratitude for the journey we’ve shared. And when you sit at our table, you become part of that story too.

12 Years of Cuca

 

Twelve candles. Twelve trips around the sun. And twelve glorious years of serving up tapas that (let’s be honest) have probably made you lick your plate more than once.

When we flung open Cuca’s doors back in 2013, we had one big dream: to create a place that felt local in spirit, legendary in taste, and unforgettable in the memories it sparked. Fast forward to today, and that dream is alive, thriving, and garnished with a cheeky sprinkle of salt.

We’ve proudly stayed true to our roots—sourcing fresh, local ingredients from our Indonesian backyard, giving classic dishes a rebellious twist, and filling our Jimbaran hideaway with a warmth you can’t fake. (No mood lighting required.)

Of course, none of this would mean much without you. Yes, you. The curious foodies, the date-nighters, the birthday candle blowers, and the “just one more cocktail” crew. You’ve helped us grow from a bold little idea into a restaurant that’s become, dare we say, a little bit legendary.

So as we turn 12, we want to say thank you for making Cuca your delicious tradition, your special occasion go-to, your unforgettable escape. Here’s to the next dozen years of culinary mischief, shared plates, and moments that prove why Local, Legendary, Unforgettable isn’t just a tagline—it’s who we are.

Come hungry. Come curious. And come celebrate with us. After all, you’re part of this story too.

Cuca: a Restaurant that Cares

We believe that a restaurant should serve more than just delicious food—it should serve its people, its guests and its planet. That’s why we created back in 2020 (right when we felt the community needed our commitment the most) #CucaCares, a program that captures everything we stand for: sustainability, education, and heart.

Today, we are thrilled to share some exciting news: we are in the final steps of becoming Indonesia's first independent restaurant to achieve B Corporation certification! With a preliminary score of 83.9, this milestone highlights our promise to meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

We didn’t embark on this journey for the recognition. We did it because we believe that excellence in dining can, and should, go hand in hand with caring for the world around us. Every choice we make—from the farmers we work with to the way we empower our team—reflects a simple, powerful truth: we are here to do good.

Through #CucaCares, we aim to show that a better future isn't just possible—it’s already happening, one thoughtful decision at a time. Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Together, we are making a difference.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this mission to care, nurture, and inspire.

How Chefs are made

Achieving something great doesn’t have the same meaning without putting in the years of work to get there. It’s like taking a helicopter to a mountain top rather than spending the gruelling effort required to climb it. The beauty is the same and the location identical, but it’s the effort that’s missing, and that’s where the reward means the most. That’s what makes this story so special.

Cooks and Chefs today are created differently than those of years gone by. Cooking is a trade, and cooks are therefore considered tradesman/women same as plumbers, electricians, carpenters, mechanics… Trades are learned through years of practice and a formal apprenticeship, and if you can “take the heat” and master your craft after a few decades, you just may one day get the title of Chef. Today things are different, and Chefs, thanks to the spotlight they get from television and social media, are unfortunately considered rock stars, so the jump from a few years in culinary school to Chef is sadly now the norm. But not in this case…

These four Chefs that run Cuca took the long road, starting in our Stewarding department and climbing slowly over 11 years until they reached the top of the Culinary Mountain. No shortcuts, no easy days, no excuses. These guys, our 4 Chefs de Cuisine in Cuca, are the best of the best, and the foundation of skills and knowledge they have built is unshakable. We are extremely proud of what they have achieved and grateful for the long road they took to get there! We hope their dedication shines in every bite you have with us.

The Heart Behind the Plates: A day in the life of Cuca’s Balinese team

 A Day in the Life of Chef Casper

At Cuca, we take pride in more than just the food we serve; we celebrate the people who make it possible. In our latest video series, “The Heart Behind the Plates”, we offer an intimate look into the daily lives of Cuca’s Balinese staff, showcasing their personal stories, cultural heritage, and passion for their work. Each episode follows a different team member, from kitchen to waitstaff, highlighting both their professional lives at Cuca and their personal lives at home. 

Balinese start the day with Canang sari—an offering to the gods in Balinese Hinduism. This ritual, symbolizing gratitude and respect, sets the tone for a balanced day, reinforcing the importance of spiritual well-being. It reflects the essence of Bali: a seamless fusion of devotion, hard work, and serenity. 

In Balinese culture, family is at the heart of everything, so our team begins and ends their days with loved ones—morning prayers, shared meals, and meaningful time spent together. Family bonds provide the strength and support needed to navigate the challenges of a busy day. These strong ties carry over into the restaurant, where our team operates as a family, working together with shared passion and respect. As the day progresses, you will witness our team’s dedication to their craft. Every dish they prepare and serve is more than just food—it is a labor of love. This passion stems not only from expertise but from a deep cultural pride. The precision and care taken with everything they do reflect the harmonious connection between work and culture.

But the day isn’t solely about work. A critical element of these videos is the emphasis on balance—Tri Hita Karana, a philosophy that promotes harmony between people, nature, and spirituality. This belief shines through in how our team maintains a peaceful connection with their work, family and the local community around them. Their journey exemplifies the perfect blend of professionalism and personal well-being.

At Cuca, we don’t just serve food; we share the stories of our people—those who are deeply connected to their family, culture, and community. Through their passion, spirituality, and balance, our team brings heart and soul to every dish we serve!

Cuca, an agent of change.

Every month a rotating team from Cuca joins efforts with our friends from SungaiWatch to tackle the critical situation our water ways face. Led by one our senior managers, staff and interns spend the morning cleaning Bali’s mangroves and the afternoon sharing a well-deserved lunch while reflecting on plastic pollution and on what each of us can do to make a change. These are our team’s thoughts and wishes for a brighter future, one where the rivers flow clear and free. 

The happier the chicken, the better the egg. The better the egg, the tastier the food.

Oh, we love eggs! But not all eggs. We love really good eggs, and it has kind of become an obsession. Actually, they are quite possibly our favorite ingredient. But sadly, we have come to learn that not all eggs are created equal.

Essential to a great kitchen, eggs are a staple in baking, fundamental for a good old fashion breakfast and the easiest solution to a quick meal. They can be found in all sorts of food, and maybe that’s the problem. High demand always encourages speed and production over health, and the quality of the eggs we consume today is very different from that of the good old times.

You can basically separate eggs into two categories: one is packed with protein, full of healthy omega 3 fatty acids and nutrients, and the other is basically an imposter containing less than half of the nutritional value and full of things that we probably should not be eating. Now, it’s nice to pass by a farm and see a sign “EGGS FOR SALE”, grab a dozen and problem solved, but that is not practical for a business going through a few hundred a week. So, what’s the solution? That was the same question we were wondering until we recently began talking to the fantastic people from the NGO Animals Don't Speak Human, who opened our eyes to the extraordinary contrast between battery-caged and cage-free chickens. Hens raised in battery cages spend their whole lives in tight, terrible circumstances, unable to spread their wings and walk freely and we couldn’t let that be part of Cuca’s food story—so with this NGO’s guidance, we scrambled to make a change.

We learned that unlike batter-caged chickens, cage-free hens have the space to walk around and behave naturally like birds, laying in nests as well as selecting the food they prefer like wild flowers, grass, seeds and insects. This transforms the yolk into a rich, creamy custard, the white into a magical firm protein-packed jelly, and the shell into a hard impenetrable force unlike its opposition.

We have always believed that the food we serve in Cuca must be primarily nutritious, so much so that we did not serve eggs in any form for the first few years, just because, quite simply, they were trash. The result of treating chickens as machinery, their food as performance fuel and the product as a commercial good focused not on flavor or nutrition but volume and uniformity, is unsurprisingly a smelly, dirty, unthinkable food source in the shape of an egg.

If we are not willing to eat them ourselves, we would never serve them to a customer. With that said, Cuca is excited to announce we are using only cage-free eggs in all our dishes. Here’s to happier chickens, better eggs, and tastier food!🥂 🐥🥚😋

Adventure Awaits!

We grew up with the most incredible playgrounds as kids in Canada and Spain. Giant timber castles to climb and run through encouraging creativity, imagination and personality. Today, sadly, that has all changed and what you normally get are colorful plastic molds that are merely copied and pasted with the same boring stuff: a slide… a swing… a tick-the-box and “we are done” approach to fulfilling the obligation to kids.

Well… that’s not our style in Cuca and we wanted something that would make kids lose their minds. Something that was a throwback to the good old days of fun and excitement, where the ideas and obstacles are limited only based on your imagination.

The problem is that that requires thought, time and work, and nobody was interested to help us do something different. The proposals we received were so boring and so pathetic that we ended up losing 3 different deposits to avoid settling for mediocracy. Through the years, we continued to push forward to find incredible. We wanted a structure that felt part of the tropical forest, something that blended into the beautiful environment we are in and gave the feeling of camping, adventure and nature.

After 13 months and too many idiots to count, finally we are days away from revealing our new playground in Cuca. Now… there will be a few kids who hit the deck, a few who scratch a knee, a few who bang an elbow, but all will run mentally towards it, drawn to the raw natural excitement and unbeatable adventure that awaits!

We made the list!

For those seeking a magical destination that seamlessly blends awe-inspiring temples, pristine beaches, and verdant rice paddies, Bali stands as an unparalleled choice. Its energy, a captivating mix of tradition and modernity, has a universal allure, attracting everyone from wellness enthusiasts to beach lovers and design buffs.

While Bali's charm is undeniable, finding the hidden gems amid the plethora of options can be daunting. The internet is flooded with information, making it nearly impossible to discern true greatness. In this sea of choices, a friend's recommendation has traditionally been the beacon of trust, but it's limited in scope. Fortunately, there's a solution, at least for those planning a trip to Bali. Travel+Leisure wraps all of it up and delivers one heck of an article for anyone making the journey to the beautiful Island of Bali. And yes, you guessed it, Cuca made the list!

In the realm of travel guides, Travel+Leisure emerges as a reliable source for unearthing the best places to eat, stay, and explore around the world. Their discerning eye separates the exceptional from the merely good, offering a curated selection that ensures an unforgettable experience.

Being featured in Travel+Leisure's esteemed list is not just an accolade but a testament to our commitment to quality and innovation. As we reflect on a decade of culinary innovation, we can't help but feel a surge of pride. From a hidden gem along a quiet road to becoming one of South-East Asia’s most celebrated foodie destinations.

To our beloved Cuca fans, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your support has made us a culinary destination. As we continue our journey, rest assured that Cuca remains committed to delivering the very best, ensuring each visit is a magical and unforgettable experience.

To wrap things up, we encourage you to be a hero by spreading the word about the Travel+Leisure's Bali guide. Share it with friends and fellow travelers looking for an unforgettable Bali experience. Cuca, proud to be part of the island's best, hopes to bring joy and inspiration to those embarking on their Bali adventures.

Cheers to Bali, to Cuca, and to the extraordinary experiences that await! 🍾

10 YEARS OF CUCA

Our anniversary celebration every year is a bit like remembering a war you are winning but where many are wounded and lost along the way. Some survived and led others toward victory while some wilted under the pressure and struggled to continue the fight. We look back and thank God we lacked the full understanding of what we were about to do by opening a restaurant in the middle of nowhere, down a road with no lights, in the sleepy quiet fishing village of Jimbaran, Bali.

After these 10 years, we have lots of stories to tell (fortunately mostly good ones), we have made plenty of mistakes (learning something from each of them), we have made lots of new friends (from all over the world!), we have put a smile on thousands of customers (and in return you all have put one on us!), we have shed tears of both happiness and sadness and in the end we have created a style, an attitude, a bond… a “Cuca” way of doing things.

Looking ahead and with new restaurants popping up every single day and the level of food always on the rise, we are now more determined than ever to make Cuca the very best. It’s what our guests expect and what we strive to deliver. But to celebrate where we are at today, we would like to thank each and every staff and each and every guest for this magical, stimulating, scary, thrilling, testing, sleepless, most marvelous and rewarding ten years of our life!