Gorontalo’s Sate Telaga Culinary Center

In a corner of Telaga District in Gorontalo Regency, a story unfolds about taste, heritage, and the revival of the local economy. This tale centers on Telaga Sub-district, an area whose name now echoes not only due to its long history but also because of the fragrant smoke rising from charcoal embers. That aroma belongs to Sate Telaga, a culinary delight that transcends its status as a mere dish; it is an identity, a source of pride, and now, a locomotive driving the regional economy.

The Kings' Legacy: A Recipe Passed Down Through Generations

The tradition of Sate Telaga is not a new phenomenon. Long before the modern era, satay had been an integral part of Telaga community's social and cultural rituals. Ancestral stories suggest that this dish, with its secretly crafted, distinct peanut sauce and precise grilling technique, was known as The Kings' Satay (Satenya Para Raja).

The satay was served only during the most significant moments: traditional ceremonies, harvest festivals, or special banquets for honored guests at the palace. Each skewer was a meticulously prepared offering, a recipe passed down not through books, but through collective memory and hands-on practice from the older generation to the younger ones.

Time has brought significant changes. The descendants of the Kings now live in a digital age, and the town is rapidly developing, yet the essence of Sate Telaga’s flavor remains preserved. This grand legacy has now found its new home, a space born from the community spirit and the commitment of the local government: The Sate Telaga Culinary Center.

Soft Opening: A Collaboration of Vision and MSME Spirit

A crucial turning point for this culinary heritage occurred on Sunday, November 30, 2025. This historic moment was marked by the Soft Opening of the Culinary Center. The modest yet deeply meaningful inauguration event was held at a strategic and representative location: The yard of the PLUT (Integrated Business Service Center) of Gorontalo Regency, located in Bulila Village, Telaga Sub-district.

The success of the inauguration and the birth of this culinary center is the result of strong collaboration. The initiative was specifically conceived by Bonny AR. Mointi, Head of the PLUT KUMKM (Cooperatives and MSME PLUT) of Gorontalo Regency, who recognized the vast potential of the local culinary Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

This idea was realized through close cooperation with the PLUT Consultant Team "Gopreneur," led by Dr. Nirmala A. Sahi, S.Sos, M.Si, and fully supported by the Gorontalo Regency MSME Community. This synergy—between the government facility (PLUT), academics/consultants, and the community of business actors—is the driving force behind the creation of this well-organized culinary area.

Government's Commitment: Elevating the MSME Sector

The inauguration officially confirmed that the Gorontalo Regency Government is serious about positioning MSMEs as the main pillar of economic development. Gorontalo Regent Sofyan Puhi, accompanied by Chairman of the Gorontalo Regency Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) Zulfikar Y. Usira, personally led the opening ceremony, witnessed by several key figures and an enthusiastic public.

The establishment of the Sate Telaga Culinary Center is intended as a strategic step by the local government to boost economic growth in the MSME sector, particularly in food and culinary businesses. With its organized, comfortable, and strategic location, the culinary center is projected to become a new hub that will attract local residents, regional tourists, and even visitors from neighboring provinces to enjoy the distinctive Gorontalo satay and various complementary culinary offerings.

In his address, Regent Sofyan Puhi emphasized that the development of this culinary center is a concrete form of government commitment to providing a business space that is not only adequate but also well-organized, hygienic, and highly competitive.

“The PLUT yard is now not only a place for administrative MSME empowerment but also a representative culinary center. We want MSMEs in Gorontalo Regency to move up a level, to have comfortable, strategic business premises, and to be able to provide the best service to customers. This facility must be utilized as effectively as possible to increase income and quality,” said Regent Sofyan Puhi, full of hope.

Legislative Appreciation and Community Hopes

Full support came from the legislative body. DPRD Chairman Zulfikar Y. Usira, who attended the inauguration, highly appreciated the local government's quick response in strengthening the MSME-based economic ecosystem. He assessed that the Sate Telaga Culinary Center is not just a trading facility but also a new icon for Telaga Sub-district and a job creator for the surrounding population.

“We in the DPRD view this as a very positive long-term investment. MSMEs are the backbone of the people's economy. With a centralized and organized center like this, the potential for marketing and regional appeal will increase dramatically. This is tangible proof of good collaboration between the executive and legislative branches for the advancement of the people,” stated Zulfikar.

Following the brief ceremony, Regent Sofyan Puhi, accompanied by Chairman Zulfikar Y. Usira, DPRD Member Ramsi Sondakh, Chairwoman of the PKK Maryam Sofyan Puhi, and heads of several other Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD), immediately conducted a direct review of all the culinary stalls. They engaged in friendly dialogue with the business owners, listening to input and offering encouragement.

The enthusiasm from the traders and MSME actors was tremendous. They warmly welcomed the presence of this clean, safe, and strategic facility. Their main hope is that the Culinary Center will significantly increase the number of visitors, which will ultimately directly impact the growth of turnover and family income. They see this as a golden opportunity to bring the Sate Telaga product to a wider market.

Also present at the event was the Head of the Cooperatives and MSME Agency, Arifin Suaib, SE., ME., who provided supportive encouragement to the business actors. He conveyed that the Cooperatives and MSME Agency is ready to facilitate the traders' needs, ranging from business legality and capacity building to access to digital marketing. This full support from the relevant agency ensures that the Sate Telaga Culinary Center has a solid foundation for long-term growth and development.

MSMEs as the Economic Backbone: The Burning Flame of Spirit

The Sate Telaga Culinary Center is an area born from the spirit of the MSME community to preserve heritage while opening the gates to the future. In every stall, in every skewer of grilled satay, a rich narrative is preserved: stories of striving micro-entrepreneurs, of the continually refined creativity of the seasonings, and of dreams waiting to be realized.

Integrated Empowerment: The collaboration with the Gopreneur Consultant Team and the Head of PLUT ensures that business actors are not only selling but also receiving mentoring, training, and access to capital from the government through PLUT programs, enabling MSMEs to operate professionally and sustainably.

Leading Culinary Destination: With the Sate Culinary Center operating in the PLUT Bulila Yard, the local government targets this area to become one of the leading culinary destinations in Gorontalo Regency. Sate Telaga will be a magnet attracting regional and national tourists.

Warming Collaboration: The synergy initiated by the Head of PLUT KUMKM and fully supported by the Gopreneur Consultant Team and the MSME Community is proof that collaboration is the key to sustainability. This synergy ensures that the flame of the people's economic spirit will continue to burn brightly.

The Sate Telaga Culinary Center is a symbol of hope. It is a promise that cultural heritage can be a strong economic foundation. Through Sate Telaga, the community is reminded that Gorontalo’s greatest potential lies in the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of its MSMEs. The authentic flavor of the Kings' Satay has now become the flavor of the people, driving the wheels of the economy and establishing Telaga as a must-visit center of deliciousness.

This area is not just a place for dinner; it is a living gallery of culinary history, a stage for MSME creativity, and the future of Gorontalo served in every plume of smoke from a satay skewer.

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