Petty Elliot
Guest blog by Petty Elliott, Contributor to the Miele Restaurant Guide and President of Yayasan Wisma Cheshire.
UK holidays with my British husband were fun but not until I lived there for three years did I understand more about British culture. The contrast from growing up in Jakarta was huge, as our UK home was in the countryside not far from Cambridge, ancient centre of learning. Visits to my parents in law in Dorset and trips to the Lake District opened my eyes to how much protected green space, forests, mountains and coasts is available.
The openness of British culture made a strong impression. Parliamentary debates were both hilarious and refreshing; that the prime minister and his opposition can argue like school children, but openly and straight to the point. I was inspired by how much British people value their heritage by protecting buildings, antiques, art, documents and things from the past with endless museums to visit in every corner of Britain.
I learnt a lot about being part of a community, through events in a village hall and village life; about the importance of contributing, about charity work. I carried this back to Jakarta, and have worked with Leonard Cheshire Homes for the past 8 years. I really want to influence Indonesians, young and old to do more for our community.
Perhaps the biggest influence from Britain was culinary. My background was in advertising, not food, but with friends’ encouragement, I joined the BBC Master chef competition in 2001. I did not win that day but it was a big experience and a lifetime change.
It has given me something to share, the food from my country with my UK friends and in turn, a lot to learn about organic produce, farmers markets, local food artisans, ingredients, seasonal produce and cooking techniques. Since arriving back in Jakarta, I have written two books on food, been active with food columns in the ‘Jakarta Globe’ and ‘Now Jakarta’ magazine, regular cooking classes and promoting modern Indonesian cuisine.
A self-taught cook, I never planned to be a food writer or critic. It just happened organically and it started in UK, helping me to meet so many interesting people, a rich learning experience in itself.
As we mark the International Women Day today, to me this is all about celebrating women and girls achievement in every sphere all over the world. However it also brings up awareness of many devastating examples of how inequality and prejudice continue to blight the potential of many women in some of part of the world.
The role of Indonesian women today is very good only for certain community and social group in Indonesia, especially for those who live in big cities in Indonesia. Indonesian women achievement do hot have the same quality and recognition in some part of region. There are many women group still living in very strict tradition which is blighting their potential.
Having lived in the UK for years I have come to realize the difference between Indonesia and UK in regards with gender equality. In the UK, people or the public have more respect and accept about gender quality. In Indonesia, there are many region and community group do not respect and accept about gender quality as the result of strong old tradition culture, lack of education and narrow minded thinking/view.
