The Yak Awards 2011 referenced the roots of this glorious island to bring the best of Bali’s music, culture and cuisine to the Hotel Tugu Bali.

The Seventh Annual Yak Awards held in October 2011 closed Bali’s party season with an event that boasted an array of firsts.

Decrying recent trends for international themes, The Yak magazine’s premier gathering beautifully merged the island’s rich past with contemporary cuisine, culture, couture and cocktails.

Held at Hotel Tugu Bali, Canggu, on October 1st and themed “Bali Bohemia”, it attracted more than 650 of Bali’s movers and shakers, as well as celebrities from the worlds of fashion, music and culture dressed in “nouveau-trad” gear.

It was a first for Suaramantra’s inter-island World Music group; a first for a fusion of Jembrana’s jegog by Suwentra with Martin East’s global ambient music; and a first for many party-goers to experience the magic of Mekar Bhuana – a 35-strong gamelan orchestra that resurrects and conserves the island’s arcane royal court music.

Yakker Sophie Digby said: “We are just so proud and grateful to have been able to showcase so much of Bali’s extraordinary talent in so many fields. It’s what The Yak is about – we strive to be a bridge between the international community and the best that Bali has to offer.”

Hotel Tugu’s rustic interiors and exteriors provided the perfect backdrop to the event which was spread over a number of the hotel’s spaces:

Guests were greeted in the lobby with wines from Indowines and cocktails from Behind Bars Bali, and serenaded by the Suara Mantra Band (which had come over from Lombok for the event).

Intimately lit gardens – were made more enchanting by the music of Mekar Bhuana.

On an elaborate stage on the beach the non-stop entertainment was kicked off by the sounds of Jegog Suwentra and dances from Nyoman Sura. The fresh talent of singer, Yasmin Suteja, was as refreshing as the gentle zephyr blowing in from the sea. And later the house was rocked by DJs Joe White and – long-time Awards supporters – Cozi and Gus Till.

Music production and direction was managed masterfully by Martin East.

Bars and food stalls festooned the grassy field in front of the stage where beers flowed from the taps of the Yak Awards’ official brewmeister, Heineken. Champagne was sponsored by PT Buana Cakra.

Back at front of house lurked a gem that delighted all comers –14 of Bali’s best chefs from their respective world-class kitchens. They produced a constant stream of delicacies that had the goddesses of glam and their partners panting for more . . . and more just kept on coming.

The maestros of munch represented: Anantara; Ayana Resort and Spa; hu’u; Nutmegs Restaurant; Sardine, Como Shambhala Estate;  Uma Ubud; Mozaic; Oberoi Bali; Evo at Sentosa; The Balé; Pan Pacific Nirwana Blai Resort; Nammos@Karma Kandara; Wah Wah Burgers; Lobre Bar and Grill; and host, Tugu, with its Warung Djamoe treats.

The highlight of the event – the 19 Yak Awards created by sks simple konsep store  – gave recognition for achievement in industry categories, and were awarded by The Yak magazine directors to outstanding individuals and companies on Bali. More than 4,000 Yak fans voted worldwide, through The Yak Magazine’s website www.theyakmag.com, and were tabulated on-line by web provider, Island Communications.

. . . and the winners were:

1). BEST NEWCOMER: Potato Head Beach Club

2). BEST RETAIL SPACE: Deus Ex Machina, Canggu

3). BEST CHEF: James Ephram, Mozaic

4). BEST SUNSET VENUE: Rock Bar @ Ayana Resort

5). BEST RESTAURNT: Sardine

6). BEST WINE LIST: Sip

7). BEST DJ: Eric Entrena

8). YAK WOMAN OF THE YEAR: Emily Baylis, Potato Head Beach Club

9). YAK MAN OF THE YEAR: Dustin Humphrey, Deus Ex Machina

10). BEST COMMUNITY SERVICES: Christina Iskandar

11). BEST BAR: Word of Mouth

12). BEST VILLA: The Edge, Uluwatu

13). BEST SPA: Karma Spa

14). BEST FASHION LABLE: Biasa

15). BEST JEWELLER: Luke Stockley from Jemme

16). BEST RESORT: Alila Uluwatu

17). BEST AD CAMPAIGN: Biasa

18). BEST EVENT: Empire of the Sun @ Potato Head Beach Club

19). OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Janice Girardi, BAWA

Additional event sponsorship and support for the Yak Awards 2011 were kindly provided by: sks- simple konsep store (including Baik and Nakal clothing labels, sponsors of the MC outfits), Gaya Ceramics, Vision One Productions, Kinetic Studio Indonesia, Bloomz, ProMotion Events, Mango Vision, Tugu Hotel and Behind Bars Bali.

We at the The Yak would like to send our heartfelt thanks to all who helped make the Seventh Annual Yak Awards a resounding success.