Andy Gozali

Jadi Chef dan Entrepreneur, Andy Gozali Alumni UPH Soroti Pentingnya Adaptasi dan Relasi Profesional

The hospitality industry is a fast-paced and ever-evolving world. Behind its dynamic rhythm, the ability to adapt, build relationships, and lead teams becomes an essential foundation not only to survive, but also to grow. This is something experienced by Andy Ghozali, a 2011 Hospitality Management alumnus of Universitas Pelita Harapan, who now serves as Sous Chef at The Crown by Kirk Westaway, Fairmont Jakarta, while also being the Co-Founder of culinary business Burnt.id in Kelapa Gading.

For Andy, his interest in the hospitality world began long ago. When choosing a university, he looked for a learning environment that was not only strong in theory, but also capable of providing hands-on experiences closely connected to the industry. After considering several options, he ultimately chose UPH because of its comprehensive practical facilities and lecturers who possessed deep experience in hospitality.

“At that time, I compared several university options. However, after seeing the complete practical facilities and speaking directly with lecturers who truly understood the hospitality field, I felt that UPH was the right choice,” said Andy.

Beyond academic learning, this UPH alumnus also gained experiences that shaped his leadership and teamwork abilities throughout his studies at UPH. Andy once served as Head of Kitchen Production for HOSPITOUR 2014, the annual event organized by the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism (FHospar). The experience became an early stepping stone in learning how to lead a team and understand responsibilities within a professional working environment.

“That was the first time I was trusted to lead a kitchen production team for a major event, HOSPITOUR UPH. I learned a lot about managing team workflows, communicating under pressure, and ensuring every detail ran smoothly. I also learned that a team’s success is greatly determined by the cooperation and sense of responsibility of each member. Until today, that experience remains one of the important foundations that shaped the way I lead and approach my professional career,” he explained.

In addition, Andy was also actively involved in the Hospitality Management Student Association (HMMP) for two consecutive years. Through his organizational experiences, he further understood the importance of teamwork and the courage to express ideas.

“From organizational activities, I learned how to work in a team and how to turn an idea into something real. Those experiences were very helpful when I first entered the professional world,” he added.

Adapting to the Development of the Hospitality Industry

Today, amidst his busy career as both a chef and entrepreneur, Andy sees hospitality as more than simply creating food. For him, hospitality is about delivering experiences and creating positive impacts for others. Through the field of food production, he hopes to be recognized through the quality of products delivered to customers, while also helping the team he works with continue to grow, both in their careers and quality of life.

On the other hand, the rapid development of the industry has also brought new challenges. According to Andy, the presence of social media and technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) has changed the way the hospitality industry develops and interacts with consumers.

“Today, trends in hospitality evolve very quickly, especially with the presence of social media and AI. We are required to keep learning and adapting to changes so we do not fall behind. In my opinion, adaptability is one of the most important qualities in this industry,” he explained.

Throughout his career journey, despite the dynamics of the industry, Andy realized that the relationships he built during university played a major role in opening professional opportunities. For him, friendships and industry connections become spaces where people can support one another, learn, and grow together.

“The network I built during college has helped me greatly until today. I’ve been able to meet and collaborate with many people in the same field, allowing us to support each other and share insights,” Andy shared.

For Andy, university life is an important phase for building relationships, gaining experiences, and developing interpersonal skills that will be valuable in the professional world. Therefore, he encourages students to actively participate in organizations and maximize every opportunity during college as a learning space beyond the classroom.

“Four years may feel long, but they actually pass very quickly. So make the most of your time, get actively involved in organizations, and build relationships with as many people as possible during college. Those experiences will greatly help you in the working world,” he advised.

Andy’s career journey demonstrates that academic experiences, organizational involvement, and self-development during university years become important foundations in shaping leadership, adaptability, and professional relationships. His story reflects UPH’s commitment to providing holistic education in preparing students to become future leaders of excellence who fear God and create meaningful impact for society.