PENELOPE WILLIAMS

What has Chef Penelope been up to?
In November 2020 Penelope decided that in order to support the team at Bali Asli and to keep the restaurant alive during the pandemic, it was necessary for her to find work in Perth, Australia. She has teamed up with Will Meyrick of Sarong and Mamasan restaurants in Seminyak; she is now Restaurant Manager at Will Street Restaurant Perth.
Now that tourism has opened up in Bali, Penelope is travelling between Perth and Bali and in the not too distant future will return to her restaurant and cooking school, Bali Asli.
The Bali Asli team are doing an amazing job at running the restaurant and our culinary adventures when I am not in Bali. I am so proud of all of them for taking on this challenge and stepping up to hold the reigns.
Bali is where my heart is and I can’t wait to join them again.

See what people are saying about Penny.
 

Penelope receiving her Best Chef Bali 2019 award.

Mark Keating, 14 August 2019
It took me nine years to get here but more than worth the wait. Penny has managed to create the most special eating experience and for anyone wanting a taste of Bali with a magnificent view out over emerald rice fields to Mount Agung, this is the place.

“Hello Bali Guide”
10 AMAZING BALI WOMEN YOU MUST KNOW

The Chef: It’s always fun to talk with Penelope Williams or as we all call her, Penny. She’s very bubbly, incredibly sweet and definitely full of smiles. And all that positivity radiates much into her works as the owner and Executive Chef of Bali Asli.

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Penny and Bali Asli featured in the Channel 7 TV series Luxury Escapes.

The presenter is Shane Jolly and the episode started at Bali Asli and continued with an adventure on a vintage Vespa scooter, a visit to a local temple and finished with a picnic lunch at the water palace.
Go to the “In the Press” page to view three video clips of the episode.

 
Bali Asli combines serendipity and vision in a unique recipe created by Executive Chef and Director, Penelope Williams; “Bali Asli is the product of my many dreams. A spark inside me was ignited when I went travelling through Asia in the late 1980‘s, little did I know the spark would lead me to where I am now.
After a four-year apprenticeship at the Savoy hotel in London, where I didn’t see a fresh chilli for the entire period, lots of foie gras, and truffles, but no chilli! It then took 12 years in Sydney working in cutting edge restaurants such as Restaurant 41, Boathouse and Bather’s Pavilion, followed by a three-year posting as Executive Chef at the Alila Manggis hotel East Bali, for me to realise my dream.
During my time at Alila I fell in love with the amazing freshness and vitality of the produce available at my door step and the way the Balinese work with it to create a unique tapestry of flavours.
I truly believe that I am in Bali for a reason, I’m not yet really sure what it is exactly, but I believe that Bali Asli is part of it.” How lucky am I to have my dreams come true?

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Interview with Penelope November 2013 by “govoyagin.com”
Keeping authentic Balinese Culture alive

In our search for enthusiastic hosts in Bali, Aussie chef Penelope Williams stands out from the crowd. After just six years on the island, three of which she spent as Executive Chef of the ultra-luxe resort Alila Manggis, “Penny” has lovingly created a close-knit community in East Bali that celebrates authentic Balinese culture and cuisine.