Ubud Food Festival Launches, Showcasing Nusantara Cuisine from Agricultural Produce

Ubud Food Festival officially commences today until 31 May 2026. The culinary event showcases a variety of Balinese dishes and regional Indonesian cuisine prepared using agricultural commodities.

‘We have Balinese chefs here conducting cooking demonstrations. There is a wide array of dishes on display, a mix of different cuisines,’ said Ubud Food Festival founder Janet Deneffe.

Deneffe explained the festival features not only Balinese cuisine but also dishes from other Indonesian regions and international offerings. Culinary selections from North Sumatra, South Sumatra, West Nusa Tenggara, and North Kalimantan are available, all using locally sourced agricultural raw materials.

Agricultural produce from various regions is transformed into traditional dishes and innovative creations by participating chefs.

‘A fusion of cuisines is presented here, including Balinese, other Indonesian regional dishes, and international cuisine,’ Deneffe added.

Addressing the Declining Farmer Numbers

Besides being a culinary showcase, the Ubud Food Festival also hosts discussions involving farmers. One key issue discussed is the decreasing number of farmers in Bali over recent years.

According to Deneffe, this issue is significant as agriculture plays a major role in Balinese society.

‘Among all challenges facing Bali, the dwindling number of farmers is critical. Although I don’t know the exact percentage, I recall 80% of Balinese were farmers in the past,’ she said.

‘This is a tragedy that demands attention,’ she added.

Deneffe stated her intention to take action post-festival, including awarding special recognition to farmers in the form of monetary incentives to boost productivity. She hopes this year’s event will also inspire more young people to pursue careers in agriculture and related fields.

‘That is why we need such discussions—to foster the emergence of new farmers within productive age groups,’ she concluded.