UFF bystanders by Matt OldfieldCooking demonstration, image by Matt Oldfield


Three words:
Ubud Food Festival. This is an event that warrants a mandatory visit by locals and justifiable attendance by non-locals. It is hard to believe that this year will be the first to see an event of this kind and scale in Bali. If Festival founder, Janet DeNeefe’s Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (UWRF) is anything to go by, then we are all definitely in for a treat.

Although the Festival program has not yet been released, I was so excited that I harassed Janet and her team to share some of the general Festival details and a little overview on how it came about. Mark 5 – 7 June, 2015 in your diaries guys, this is an event not to be missed! Check out the Festival program now.

JC x

 

UFF ingredients by Anggara MahendraFresh, local indonesian ingredients, image by Anggara Mahendra

 

Borne from the success of the last year’s UWRF Kitchen Program sessions, a brand new concept celebrating the richness and diversity of Indonesian culture is being launched: Ubud Food Festival.

 

Mozaic and co by Matt OldfieldThe Chefs from Mozaic at the UWRF Kitchen Program sessions, image by Matt Oldfield

 

Building on the international reputation and 11 years of experience from Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Ubud Food Festival aims to unite food and culture lovers from across Indonesia, the Asia-Pacific, Southeast Asia and beyond.

From 5 – 7 June, 2015, Ubud Food Festival will bring together the region’s most celebrated chefs, restaurateurs, producers and industry heavyweights to serve up a program rich in food mythology, authenticity and of course, taste.

The program will feature a range of ticketed and free events spanning cooking demonstrations, masterclasses, panel discussions, night markets, farmers markets, food tours, wine tasting, film screenings, and more. So far, some of the program contributors which have been announced include: Bondan Winarno, Will Meyrick (Sarong, Mama San, E&O), Will Goldgarb and Eelke Plasmeijer (Locavore).

 

Janet DeNeefe cooking by Matt OldfieldJanet DeNeefe during the UWRF Kitchen Program sessions, image by Matt Oldfield

 

Janet DeNeefe, Founder & Director of Ubud Food Festival and celebrated cookbook author, says: “I have been living and breathing Indonesian food for more than 30 years and now it’s time to share this glorious cuisine with the world”.

Ubud Food Festival’s mission is to create a sustainable, world-class culinary event that showcases Indonesia’s diverse cuisine, innovative chefs and extraordinary local produce.

 

Serving up by Matt OldfieldServing up, image by Matt Oldfield

 

Based on four pillars the Festival will cover: Education – including a free schools program featuring healthy eating and food appreciation; Culture – focusing on the heritage of Indonesian food, from spices and colonial history, to cultural influences and national identity; Global Trends – addressing major environmental ‘food’ issues from food sovereignty to sustainable food security and governance; and Community – supporting businesses in the region.

 

UFF Happy festival goers by Anggara MahendraA very happy UWRF Kitchen Program sessions goer, image by Anggara Mahendra

 

Notes: Ubud Food Festival is an initiative of the not-for-profit Mudra Swari Saraswati Foundation. If you would like to get involved with Ubud Food Festival and its sibling events, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival and Bali Emerging Writers Festival, email: hello@ubudfoodfestival.com

 

 

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