Biko has never really been shaped by a single person, idea, or opening. More often, it grows through the people who come together along the way: founders, chefs, bartenders, creatives, operators, partners, and countless others who each leave their mark in different ways.
Looking back through the past few years, we found ourselves thinking less about milestones themselves and more about the stories behind them. The conversations that started it all, the collaborations that took shape over time, and the people who helped turn early ideas into places that now have a life of their own.
One of those moments took place while Chef Freddie Salim was still living in Sydney. The photo captures him signing his agreement with Biko, a decision that would eventually bring him back to Indonesia to build Silk Bistro together from the ground up. At the time, it was simply the start of a new chapter. Today, Silk has grown into a place where people gather for intimate celebrations, long lunches, and memorable evenings — a reminder of how much can grow from a single leap of faith.
Another photo was taken in Bali, during a conversation between Mikael Mirdad, Vallian Gunawan, and Ryan Theja. At the time, Kindling and Costa existed mostly as ideas being discussed across a table. There were no finished spaces, no opening dates, and no certainty about what they would eventually become. Looking back now, it's a snapshot of something many restaurants share in common: before they become places, they're simply conversations between people brought together by a shared vision and the excitement of building something new.
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Of course, these are only two stories among many. Over the years, Biko has grown through countless partnerships, chance encounters, shared ideas, and people willing to build something together. Some led to new concepts. Some evolved into lasting collaborations. Many became part of the fabric of the group in ways that are difficult to trace back to a single moment.
Perhaps that's why no milestone has ever felt like something that belongs to one outlet alone. Every step forward reflects the collective effort behind the scenes — the support, trust, and contributions of teams across the group. More than anything, it's a reminder that good things rarely happen on their own. They are usually the result of many people showing up, contributing in their own way, and moving the same idea forward together. That's probably what we're most grateful for.
