MAN 1 Yogyakarta Celebrates Eid al-Adha with Creativity, Flavor, and Innovation

Yogyakarta, Indonesia — What is usually a parking area in front of the teachers’ room at MAN 1 Yogyakarta transformed into a lively outdoor kitchen on Friday (29/05/2026). On simple mats and classroom tables, students enthusiastically mixed spices, discussed flavor combinations, cooked together, and arranged creative food presentations as part of the Eid al-Adha 1447 H Beef Cooking Competition.

The activity, which began at 7:00 a.m. with preparation and setup, became one of the most exciting events in the school’s Eid al-Adha celebration. Each class was given the freedom to transform qurban beef into a variety of creative dishes, ranging from traditional favorites such as rendang, satay, semur, and gongso to modern culinary creations with contemporary twists.

Students brought their own cooking equipment, including portable stoves, cooking utensils, plating tools, and cooking mats made from tarpaulins and recycled banners. The cooking areas were divided by the committee, with Grade 10 students using the parking area in front of the Mathematics and Language teachers’ rooms, while Grade 11 students occupied the parking area near the vice principal’s office.

The competition coordinator, Hj. Latifah Rahmawati, S.Ag., M.Pd., explained that the event was designed not only to enliven the Eid al-Adha celebration but also to develop students’ creativity, teamwork, and sense of responsibility.

“This competition is designed as a fun yet meaningful learning experience. Students learn how to work together, plan cooking strategies, maintain cleanliness, and present food attractively and professionally. It is not only about taste but also about character building and life skills,” Latifah said.

Judging began at 10:30 a.m., with evaluation criteria including taste and flavor, meat tenderness, presentation creativity, and cleanliness of the cooking area. Each class was also required to provide the name of their dish along with a list of ingredients used.

Creative plating concepts decorated the presentation tables prepared by the committee. Many students successfully combined traditional culinary elements with modern presentation styles, producing dishes that were both visually appealing and appetizing.

The Head of MAN 1 Yogyakarta, H. Edi Triyanto, S.Ag., S.Pd., M.Pd., expressed his appreciation for the students’ enthusiasm.

“Through activities like becoming a chef for a day, students learn collaboration, responsibility, creativity, and even teamwork management. These are important aspects of character education that they need for the future,” Edi said.

Beyond the competition itself, the event also created a warm family atmosphere throughout the school. Students eagerly shared responsibilities, from preparing ingredients and cooking meals to arranging their best presentations for judging.

Through this event, MAN 1 Yogyakarta once again demonstrated that meaningful learning can take many forms — even from a simple cooking area in a school parking lot filled with enthusiasm, creativity, and togetherness. (luf)