The Westin Jakarta has appointed Luca Carrino as its new executive chef, a move that underscores the hotel's commitment to enhancing its culinary offerings for business and leisure travelers. Carrino, an Italian-born chef with a career spanning Michelin-starred restaurants and five-star luxury hotels across Europe, Southeast Asia, North Asia, and the Middle East, will oversee all culinary operations, including the hotel's signature dining venues and banquet services.
Carrino joins The Westin Jakarta from Mandarin Oriental Taipei, where he served as executive sous chef. Prior to that, he held the same role at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur and led the culinary team at Shangri-La Dubai. His experience in high-end hospitality across multiple continents positions him to bring a global perspective to the hotel's kitchen.
A Chef with a Global Palate
“I am excited to be in Jakarta, a city I have wanted to work in since my first visit years ago,” Carrino said. “I was truly impressed by the rich flavours, vibrant culture, and especially the warmth of the people.” His enthusiasm for the Indonesian capital aligns with the city's growing status as a regional hub for business and tourism, a trend reflected in recent developments such as Juneyao Airlines pushing back its Jakarta and Manila launches to October and the SAS and Garuda Indonesia codeshare linking Scandinavia with Jakarta and Bali from winter 2026.
Born and raised in Italy, Carrino draws inspiration from Italian cuisine but continuously explores new flavors to enhance his culinary expertise. In his leisure time, he enjoys exercising, playing squash, and spending time with friends. His approach to cooking emphasizes fresh, high-quality ingredients and a balance of tradition and innovation.
The Westin Jakarta, known for its iconic 360-degree city views and unique dining experiences, embraces the Westin Hotels & Resorts' well-being pillar, Eat Well, by crafting dishes with guests' well-being in mind. Carrino's appointment is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the hotel's culinary offerings, enhancing the dining experience for guests. The property is part of Marriott Bonvoy, offering benefits such as complimentary late checkout and room upgrades to loyalty members.
This executive appointment follows a pattern of notable moves in the region's hospitality sector, including Dinesh Varatharajoo's return to The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore as executive assistant manager of rooms. As Jakarta continues to attract international business travelers and tourists, hotels are investing in top culinary talent to differentiate their offerings.
For travel professionals—whether airline executives, hoteliers, or tour operators—Carrino's arrival signals The Westin Jakarta's focus on elevating its food and beverage program, a key factor in guest satisfaction and repeat bookings. The hotel's banquet team, under his direction, is also poised to enhance MICE events, a critical segment for the property.
