Hutan Kota was first introduced to the public during the 2018 Asian Games, during which the venue was used to host many ceremonies, events and gatherings. During this period, the President of the Republic of Indonesia himself, Bapak Joko Widodo, hosted his guests at the site. Upon successful completion of the event, the Bung Karno Gelora Complex Management Center (PPKGBK) invited Plataran to participate in a selection process to develop Hutan Kota into a venue that could showcase Indonesia’s cuisine, culture and natural heritage. Plataran accepted the challenge, embarking on a rigorous application process in direct competition with various other contenders from Indonesia’s big reputable F&B Groups and judged by a panel of experts.