Inaugural food festival in Balinese town gathers some of Indonesia’s best culinary masters
If you’ve ever wanted to sample all of Indonesia’s cuisine in one trip, if that is even at all possible, then you’ll want to head to Ubud in Bali this June 5-7, 2015. The Ubud Food Festival, which is looking to be an annual event, will bring together not only numerous prominent chefs and food experts from around the region and internationally, but also all kinds of epicurean delights for all sorts of foodies – the gourmand, BBQ-lovers, vegetarians, sweet-tooths, clean-eaters, slow-eaters and even the picky ones.
The daily programmes are absolutely jam-packed with activities from cooking demonstrations to workshops and masterclasses; food forums, food tours, markets and even movie screenings; photography workshops, free yoga sessions and more. You’ll want to learn how to make vegetarian fusion food from chef Chris Salans of Mosaic or take the dessert Masterclass with Singapore’s Janice Wong, owner of 2am:dessertbar and twice named as Asia’s Best Pastry Chef by San Pellegrino Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2013 and 2014, or perhaps learn all about how to turn healthful superfoods (read: vegetables) into sensational gastronomic delights from chef Felix Schoener of Sakti Dining Room at Fivelements Puri Ahimsa resort. Looking only to indulge and relax more than getting dirty? Join the food tour that takes you to the homes of various respected local food masters, browse the night markets for Bali’s best street food, partake in the food forums covering all aspects of Balinese and Indonesian food or enjoy the various food demos that will be on show.
Among the chefs to look out for during the three-day festival are celebrity chef Bara Pattiradjawane, Dave Pynt from Singapore’s Burnt Ends, chocolate producer Giuseppe Verdacchi and Will Meyrick of Hujan Locale, who will be teaming up with Malaysia’s Chef Wan to bring their elevated version of ‘found and foraged’ to the table.
For more information, log on to ubudfoodfestival.com