GIANYAR, balitourismnow.com – The Ubud Food Festival returns from 28 to 31 May 2026 and releases a bold preview of Indonesian and international culinary talent ahead of its full programme reveal.
As one of Southeast Asia’s most influential food festivals, it continues to shape the regional conversation around flavour, sustainability and cultural identity.
With the theme Farmers: Guardians of Land and Sea, this year’s Festival honours the hands that feed us. From volcanic soil to salt-laced shores, the 2026 edition shines a powerful light on the farmers, fishers and producers who sustain Indonesia’s extraordinary food story.
For four unforgettable days, Ubud becomes a living, breathing feast. At the open-air venue of Taman Kuliner, chefs, growers, artisans and food lovers gather beneath Bali’s wide skies for a celebration that is as vibrant as it is purposeful.
Audiences can expect high-energy cooking demonstrations and dozens of standout vendors at the free Food Market, alongside intimate dining experiences staged in Ubud’s most spectacular surroundings.
The programme unfolds through thought-provoking food talks, hands-on masterclasses and curated food tours, culminating in a dazzling spread of cuisines from across Indonesia and beyond.
“With the theme, Farmers: Guardians of Land and Sea, we are placing farmers firmly at the centre of the table,” said Founder and Director Janet DeNeefe. “They are not simply suppliers. 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.”
Leading the international headliners is Bangkok-based Chef Prin Polsuk of the award-winning Samrub Samrub Thai. Known for his deep research into historic Thai recipes, Prin presents cuisine that is precise, elegant and deeply steeped in tradition, reconnecting diners to flavours that might otherwise be lost.
From Australia, Chef Ben Devlin, Executive Chef and owner of Pipit, brings his celebrated approach to coastal produce, sustainable seafood and refined wood-fired cooking, a natural fit for a Festival honouring land and sea.
Joining him is pastry innovator Kate Reid of Melbourne’s cult-favourite Lune Croissanterie. Her bestselling memoir, Destination Moon, traces her pursuit of excellence from engineering precision to crafting some of the world’s most sought-after croissants.
Adding to the international line-up is Spanish-born Chef Frank Camorra, owner of Melbourne’s iconic MoVida. A pioneer of modern Spanish tapas in Australia, he brings his spirit of generous, communal dining to Bali’s table, where sharing food is already a way of life.
Elevating the beverage programme is acclaimed Australian mixologist Darren Leane from the award-winning Caretaker’s Cottage. Celebrated for his inventive technique and bold flavor pairings, Leane continues to redefine contemporary cocktail culture with precision and flair.
Representing the dynamism of contemporary Indonesian cuisine is Chef Jovan Koraag of Jakarta’s hottest table, Mata Karanjang. His fearless interpretation of Manado cuisine pulses with heat, colour and intensity, bringing the vibrant flavours of North Sulawesi to the Festival stage.
At the heart of this year’s Festival stands Balinese chocolate farmer Agung Widyastuti, whose dedication to cultivating local cacao embodies the very spirit of the theme. Her work champions resilience, sustainability and generational knowledge, reminding us that every indulgent bite begins in the soil.
“We are bringing together chefs, farmers, producers and thinkers to create more than a festival,” said DeNeefe. “This is a celebration of the entire food ecosystem. As we honour Farmers: Guardians of the Land and Sea, we also acknowledge our collective responsibility to protect our ingredients, our traditions and the future of food in Indonesia and beyond.” [uni]