--- title: "A Journey to the Riau: Chef Yudi’s Story - Private Island and Beach Resort Near Singapore" description: "When I first met Yudi, he struck me as an unassuming and quiet man, and it took me a while before I realized that he was Telunas’ new sous-chef. It wasn’t" canonical: "https://telunasresorts.com/a-journey-to-the-riau-chef-yudis-story/" language: "en" date_modified: "2020-07-03T00:00:00+08:00" --- ![Chef Yudi at Telunas](/_next/image/?url=%2Fimages%2Fdining.jpg&w=3840&q=75&dpl=dpl_D6mbzuj3BPFctqAd2Bs5s7gDaRmj) Staff Stories # A Journey to the Riau: Chef Yudi’s Story July 3, 2020 | Staff Stories When I first met Yudi, he struck me as an unassuming and quiet man, and it took me a while before I realized that he was Telunas' new sous-chef. It wasn't until I sat down to get to know Yudi some more that I discovered the incredible journey that had brought him to Telunas Resorts. Yudi was born and raised in Lampung province on the south tip of Sumatra, known for its surfing beaches, snorkeling, and being situated just north of the historic Krakatoa volcano. For Yudi, cooking was always in his blood. He pursued formal culinary training and then made his way to Jakarta to work in the hotel industry, where he gained years of experience in Food and Beverage operations. ## The Maldives Though his time in Jakarta taught him much, the dream of luxury island resorts was calling his name, and Chef Yudi soon found an opportunity working in the Maldives at a high-end resort. Working in one of the world's most sought-after travel destinations gave him an invaluable perspective on what makes a truly exceptional guest experience. ## Telunas Calls Yudi Home Eventually, Chef Yudi discovered an opening for a sous-chef position at a small resort in the Riau Islands called Telunas Resorts. Something about it felt right. He made the move - and what he found surprised him in the best possible way. > “I've worked for many years in the Food and Beverage hotel industry, and I've received training from the best companies. But I've never worked at a place like Telunas!” Yudi explained that he and a handful of other staff had just attended a training with one of the managers. Though he had expected it to be a professional training for his job, he discovered it encompassed much more - personal development, values, and genuine care for every team member as a whole person. “I just am so happy to work for a company that cares about me,” Yudi shared. Though Telunas was temporarily closed to guests due to Covid-19 at the time, the staff was still working hard - training, preparing, and getting ready to welcome guests back to the island. > “Working at Telunas is a gift for me. I will do my best to serve guests and serve people all around me.” - Yudi _Written by Jones Lase and Matt Ray, both long-time members of the Telunas team._ ## More from the journal [![Corporate Social Responsibility at Telunas](/_next/image/?url=%2Fimages%2Fcommunity-group.jpg&w=3840&q=75&dpl=dpl_D6mbzuj3BPFctqAd2Bs5s7gDaRmj)](/corporate-social-responsibility/) March 2021 Community ### [Corporate Social Responsibility at Telunas](/corporate-social-responsibility/) From village scholarships to employee welfare programmes, Telunas Resorts is deeply committed to being a force for good in the Riau Islands community. 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[Read More →](/combining-cultures/) [![Telunas Care Package: Supporting Staff Through COVID-19](/_next/image/?url=%2Fimages%2Fcommunity-group.jpg&w=3840&q=75&dpl=dpl_D6mbzuj3BPFctqAd2Bs5s7gDaRmj)](/telunas-care-package/) April 2020 Community ### [Telunas Care Package: Supporting Staff Through COVID-19](/telunas-care-package/) When COVID-19 forced Telunas to suspend operations, the resort assembled care packages for over 150 staff members and their families - a powerful act of selfless giving. [Read More →](/telunas-care-package/) [![Ramadan in the Riau](/_next/image/?url=%2Fimages%2Fdining-atmosphere.jpg&w=3840&q=75&dpl=dpl_D6mbzuj3BPFctqAd2Bs5s7gDaRmj)](/ramadan-in-the-riau/) May 2019 Community ### [Ramadan in the Riau](/ramadan-in-the-riau/) Ramadan transforms life in the Riau Islands. Discover how Telunas and the local communities celebrate this special month with reflection, togetherness, and tradition. [Read More →](/ramadan-in-the-riau/) [![How a Pencil Changed My Life](/_next/image/?url=%2Fimages%2Feducation.jpg&w=3840&q=75&dpl=dpl_D6mbzuj3BPFctqAd2Bs5s7gDaRmj)](/how-a-pencil-changed-my-life/) April 2019 Community ### [How a Pencil Changed My Life](/how-a-pencil-changed-my-life/) A Telunas staff member shares a deeply personal story about the power of education, opportunity, and what a single pencil can mean to a child growing up in a remote island village. [Read More →](/how-a-pencil-changed-my-life/) [![To Be an English Teacher](/_next/image/?url=%2Fimages%2Feducation.jpg&w=3840&q=75&dpl=dpl_D6mbzuj3BPFctqAd2Bs5s7gDaRmj)](/to-be-an-english-teacher/) January 2019 Community ### [To Be an English Teacher](/to-be-an-english-teacher/) Through the Telunas Foundation, English lessons are transforming opportunities for young people in the Riau Islands. One teacher shares what it means to give knowledge as a gift. [Read More →](/to-be-an-english-teacher/) [![Weekend Getaways From Singapore: An Island Planning Guide](/_next/image/?url=%2Fimages%2Fblog%2Faugust-2026%2Fweekend-getaways-tbr-aerial.webp&w=3840&q=75&dpl=dpl_D6mbzuj3BPFctqAd2Bs5s7gDaRmj)](/private-island-beach-resort-weekend-getaways-from-singapore/) Updated 7 August 2026 Getaways ### [Weekend Getaways From Singapore: An Island Planning Guide](/private-island-beach-resort-weekend-getaways-from-singapore/) Plan a weekend getaway from Singapore by ferry, compare two Telunas island stays, and prepare for a calm break without an airport near Batam. [Read More →](/private-island-beach-resort-weekend-getaways-from-singapore/) ## Sitemap - [Browse all public Telunas pages](/sitemap.md)