The theme of Ubud Food Festival 2024 says it all. The ‘Take it to the Streets’ three-day feast spotlights the vibrant street food culture of Indonesia, Asia, and beyond. This year, visitors are invited to meet and learn from the country’s established and emerging talents, rub shoulders with Michelin star awardees, taste the culinary creations of Asia’s best chefs, and to simply put, eat.
“This year’s exciting collaborations, where Indonesia’s finest talent join forces with culinary stars from across the region and beyond, epitomise the essence of the Ubud Food Festival,” expressed the festival’s founder and director Janet DeNeefe. “Our goal is to bring together both the remarkable chefs and artisan producers of this country, shining a spotlight on Indonesia’s rich culinary heritage and the dedicated individuals behind its creation. I’m truly excited that we are bringing to Ubud such an incredibly diverse, talented mix of creatives from the hospitality world.”
From 31 May to 2 June 2024, the festival attendees will be spoilt with a stellar programme, featuring cooking demos, food talks, live entertainment, dining pop-ups, workshops, food tours, and special events around Ubud. This year, more than 70 food stalls can be found at Taman Kuliner. From Vietnamese cuisine to authentic Medanese es puter ice cream, eat and drink your way around the festival’s vibrant food market.
Sustainability takes centre stage with discussions and workshops facilitated by Bali Restaurant Cafe Association (BRCA). Join Haoma’s Deepanker Khosla, the recipient of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 Sustainable Restaurant Award, Locavore NXT’s Eelke Plasmeijer, Will Goldfarb from Room4Dessert, and many more in meaningful discussions during the inaugural Sustainability Forum.
Don’t miss these special events
The special events during the festival are usually sold-out in no time. Secure your booking ASAP for these one-of-a-kind kitchen takeovers, guest shifts, and Four Hands dinners around the town’s most enchanting venues. Here are some special events that you must not miss at Ubud Food Festival 2024.
World’s 50 Best Bar Penicillin Takeover: Head to Ambar at Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve to savour Agung and Laura Prabowo’s award-winning cocktails. Ranked 26 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023, their bar, Penicillin in Hong Kong redefines mixology with its “closed-loop” concept, setting the standard for sustainable bar practices in Asia while making unforgettable tipples from ingredients like apple skin whisky and turmeric sherbet. Price per cocktail.
A Night in Paris at Aperitif : Three chefs are bringing their unique interpretations of French cuisines in a seven-course culinary journey at Aperitif. Savour the harmonious creations of the restaurant’s executive chef Nic Vanderbeeken, chef Nick Honeyman of the one Michelin-starred Le Petit Leon, and chef Zennon Wijlens of Auckland’s Paris Butter. Rp1,890,000++ per person.
Makoto Tokuyama X Nicola Russo: With only 16 seats, the intimate omakase restaurant, Api Jiwa at Capella Ubud will host a soulful collaboration featuring an eight-course dinner. Chef Makoto Tokuyama of the three-hatted Cocoro in New Zealand will cook alongside the resort’s executive chef Nicola Russo. Expect impeccable Japanese flavours cooked with local produce. Rp1,850,000++ per person.
Bali Reinvented: A Culinary Adventure with Chef Wayan and Chef Eka: Lesser known ingredients from the island such as sorghum, snails, eels, sea urchin, and more will receive a spotlight during this flavourful Four Hands dinner between award-winning chef Wayan Kresna Yasa and executive chef Eka Arsana of Kappa Senses Ubud. From Bola Bola Sorghum to Sidat, both chefs will showcase their Balinese heritage and Western influences through a memorable tasting menu. Rp1,400,000++ per person.
Flavour of the Street: A Four-Hand Gastronomic Dinner with Amandari & ESA: Expect an evocative evening of flavour as chef Aditya Muskita of ESA and chef Iwan Yunarto of Amandari take their turn telling their stories through food. Paying tribute to Indonesia’s spice laden gastronomic heritage, both chefs will draw their experience to create a new narrative of modern Indonesian cuisine. Rp1,800,000++ per person.
August x Kubu: The riverside restaurant Kubu at Mandapa has the honour to host chef Hans Christian of August. Awarded as The Best Restaurant in Indonesia on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024 list, get ready to be captivated by this tour de forceof the finest local ingredients and mastery of culinary arts. Rp1,500,000++ per person.
Pulang Kampung at Nusantara: Inspired by the food of their hometowns, join five talented Indonesian chefs as they present an ethno-culinary portrait of the archipelago at Nusantara by Locavore. Freddie Salim from Silk Bistro, Ryan Thejasukmana from Lulu Bistro, and culinary adventurer Archie Prameswara will join Lisa Sibagariang of Locavore NXT and Nusantara’s own chef Putu Dodik Sumarjana, in cooking up a feast. Rp750,000++ per person.
Find out more about Ubud Food Festival 2024 at www.ubudfoodfestival.com.
A version of this article first appeared in epicure.
