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n an effort to increase cultural relations, the British Embassy in Jakarta promoted British cuisine to the Indonesian public during the weekend at the Tribeca Park in Central Park Mall, Jakarta.

The event opened on Friday featuring Britain'€™s food ambassador, celebrity chef Gary Rhodes, who gave a demonstration on how to prepare a classic Scottish smoked salmon dish.

Deputy Head of Mission of the British Embassy Juliet Maric Capeling pointed out that Indonesian culture was closely bound with food.

She explained that Britain has not been known for food in the past, but that the influences of different foreign cuisines in Britain has brought about a renaissance of traditional British food. She said it was time for Britain to export its food, which has long been under-appreciated abroad. '€œOur job here is to build relationships politically, culturally. Trade relationships, of course, are important and I genuinely believe food is a great way to do that,'€ Capeling said.

'€œThe UK traditionally has not been famous for its food, but actually the restaurants in London now are so sophisticated. We have got so many Michelin-starred restaurants, so many fabulous chefs and cooks, British food is really on the rise.'€