The Chef
Meet Chef Blake Thornley, the creative mind redefining modern Indonesian food in Ubud. With over two decades of global experience — from fine dining in New Zealand to leading kitchens across Southeast Asia — Blake brings a depth of technique balanced with a fearless sense of play.
For him, food is about connection: between people, ingredients, and place. Every dish starts with respect for the land and the farmers who make each flavour possible. He works closely with local producers, sourcing responsibly and seasonally, ensuring every element on the plate has purpose and meaning.
After leading the kitchen at Mozaic Bali, Blake turned his attention to Spice by Blake — a place where creativity meets approachability. His menu is grounded in sustainability but designed to be shared, enjoyed, and remembered. It’s not about perfection; it’s about energy, spontaneity, and food that feels alive.
Through his leadership, the kitchen has become a playground for ideas — where Indonesian heritage meets global technique, and every plate celebrates the beauty of imperfection done beautifully.
For him, food is about connection: between people, ingredients, and place. Every dish starts with respect for the land and the farmers who make each flavour possible. He works closely with local producers, sourcing responsibly and seasonally, ensuring every element on the plate has purpose and meaning.
After leading the kitchen at Mozaic Bali, Blake turned his attention to Spice by Blake — a place where creativity meets approachability. His menu is grounded in sustainability but designed to be shared, enjoyed, and remembered. It’s not about perfection; it’s about energy, spontaneity, and food that feels alive.
Through his leadership, the kitchen has become a playground for ideas — where Indonesian heritage meets global technique, and every plate celebrates the beauty of imperfection done beautifully.
meet the team
Chef Blake Thornley
Chef Thornley was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, but has worked across top restaurants across Asia, including an earlier stint in Bali. He turned to our island paradise to take over the reins at Mozaic Bali — arguably one of the best rated spots for Indonesian food in Ubud.
By taking traditional spices and flavours, and putting an unexpected spin on them, Chef Thornley ensures that a meal at Spice by Blake is a unique celebration of Balinese culinary traditions.
By taking traditional spices and flavours, and putting an unexpected spin on them, Chef Thornley ensures that a meal at Spice by Blake is a unique celebration of Balinese culinary traditions.
Our Menu
Chef Thornley’s experiments with Indonesian spices have yielded exciting results that reflect in a never-experienced-before menu. Chef Thornley’s experiments with Indonesian spices have yielded exciting results that reflect in a never-experienced-before menu. Highlights include his bold interpretation of babi guling, where tender pork ribs take center stage, infused with rich Balinese flavors and slow-roasted to perfection.
Vibe
Spice by Blake is the kind of place you wander into for dinner and end up staying for another round. It’s lively, design-forward, and effortlessly cool — a blend of modern Indonesian style and Ubud’s easygoing rhythm. Our open kitchen hums with energy, chefs moving in sync as flames rise and plates are finished right before your eyes. The cocktail bar glows softly in the background, serving drinks that are as creative as they are delicious. It’s casual enough for everyday dining, but still feels like an experience. The playlist hits just right, the crowd is a mix of locals, travelers, and creative souls — people who love good food and better stories. At Spice by Blake, dinner isn’t just about what’s on the table — it’s about the atmosphere that makes you want to linger, laugh, and come back again tomorrow.
