The Ubud Food Festival will return from May 28 to 31, celebrating the people and produce that shape Indonesia’s diverse food culture. With the theme Farmers: Guardians of Land and Sea, this year’s event will pay tribute to the farmers, fishers and producers who sustain the nation’s culinary traditions.
Held at the open-air venue of Taman Kuliner, the four-day festival will feature cooking demonstrations, a bustling food market, masterclasses, food tours and special dining experiences across Ubud.
The event continues to be one of Southeast Asia’s most influential gatherings for chefs, producers and food lovers, exploring themes of sustainability, culture and innovation.
Festival Founder and Director Janet DeNeefe said the 2026 theme places farmers at the centre of the conversation. “They are not simply suppliers,” she said.
“They are protectors of biodiversity, carriers of knowledge and custodians of culture. Every dish begins with their work, their care and their commitment to the land and sea.”
The international line-up includes Bangkok-based Chef Prin Polsuk of Samrub Samrub Thai, known for his refined approach to traditional Thai cuisine, and Australian Chef Ben Devlin of Pipit, who specialises in coastal produce and sustainable seafood.
Also joining the festival are Melbourne pastry innovator Kate Reid of Lune Croissanterie, Spanish-born Chef Frank Camorra of MoVida, and acclaimed mixologist Darren Leane from Caretaker’s Cottage, who will lead the beverage program with his inventive cocktails.
Representing Indonesia’s vibrant culinary scene is Chef Jovan Koraag of Jakarta’s Mata Karanjang, whose bold interpretation of Manado cuisine brings the flavours of North Sulawesi to the festival stage.
At the heart of this year’s celebration is Balinese chocolate farmer Agung Widyastuti, whose dedication to cultivating local cacao reflects the festival’s focus on sustainability and community.
“This is more than a food festival,” DeNeefe said. “It’s a celebration of the entire food ecosystem. As we honour the farmers — the guardians of land and sea — we also recognise our shared responsibility to protect our ingredients, our traditions and the future of food in Indonesia and beyond.”
Keep up to date at https://www.ubudfoodfestival.com
