Kakadu plums, crocodile canapes, and green ant gins provide perfect ingredients for Taste of Kakadu 2025

Taste of Kakadu

Kakadu – home to the world’s oldest living culture – will showcase its famed bush tucker in the Top End’s premier Indigenous food and culture festival, Karrimanjbekkan An-me Kakadu - A Taste of Kakadu, which will be staged across Kakadu National Park from Friday 23 May to Sunday 25 May 2025.

The program will comprise a range of events celebrating the cuisine, culture and Country of the local Bininj people through a menu of ancient cuisine with modern twists.

Over a long weekend, visitors can indulge in tasty activities such as the signature Kinhkinh—Dinner Under the Stars event on Saturday, 24 May. Renowned chefs Paul 'Yoda' Iskov of Fervor and Ben Tyler of Kakadu Kitchen, with assistance from the young mob from at the Stars Foundation and the Clontarf Academy, will prepare a delectable four-course dinner featuring seasonal ingredients foraged locally in Kakadu National Park, accompanied by live entertainment and local storytelling.

Yoda will also lead a workshop focused on Kakadu’s most beloved and iconic bush food – the Kakadu Plum, which is now an important ingredient in both foods and medicines around the world. Under his guidance, participants will learn how to harvest, preserve, and celebrate this nutritious fruit. They will also be able to bring a jar of Kakadu plum preserve home with them to add a taste of Kakadu to their everyday cooking.

Opening night celebrations at Bowali Visitor Centre on Friday 23 May will include traditional dance, music and a ground oven feast.

There will be ranger-guided bush tucker walks, ‘croc and canapes’ cruises on Yellow Water Billabong, and the chance to meet traditional owners as they pass on their skills and local bush foods knowledge.

While food will be the focus, there will be plentiful opportunities to engage in local Bininj/Mungguy culture. The program includes art, music, performance, workshops, and guided tours of Kakadu’s world-renowned rock art galleries at Nourlangie and Ubirr.

Taste of Kakadu is presented by Parks Australia, with the full program and bookings available at: https://kakadu.gov.au/things-do/events/taste-kakadu/

Video background to the event: https://youtu.be/MeW83FHvLMI

 

Staying in Kakadu

Accommodation is available during the Festival at Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru and Cooinda Lodge and Camping Grounds. Early bookings are highly recommended. Accommodation information and bookings are available via www.kakadutourism.com