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| Cooking demonstration Karima Hazim and Rayleen brown |
Bringing together acclaimed Indigenous chefs, celebrated restaurateurs, food innovators and artisan producers, the Australian Native Food Festival has quickly become one of Australia's most exciting culinary events, offering visitors an authentic opportunity to experience the nation's oldest food traditions in a contemporary setting.
A Celebration of Australia's Indigenous Food Culture
Presented by Indigiearth and led by Weilwan woman Sharon Winsor, the festival showcases the extraordinary diversity of Australian native ingredients while highlighting the deep cultural connections First Nations communities have maintained with Country for tens of thousands of years.
Visitors will enjoy an engaging program of live cooking demonstrations, educational talks, cultural workshops and opportunities to meet Indigenous food producers whose businesses are helping preserve and promote Australia's unique native foods.
The festival creates an environment where storytelling, culture and cuisine come together, allowing visitors to gain a deeper appreciation of Indigenous knowledge while discovering exciting new flavours.
An Exceptional Line-Up of Australia's Leading Chefs
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| Sharon Winsor, Aunty Beryl, Kylie Kwong |
Leading Indigenous chefs and native food advocates appearing throughout the weekend include Rayleen Brown, Aunty Beryl Van Oploo OAM, Kerrie Saunders, Mindy Woods, Zach Green and acclaimed author and agricultural thinker Bruce Pascoe.
Joining them will be some of Australia's best-known chefs and food personalities who have embraced Australian native ingredients in their own cooking. Visitors can enjoy demonstrations from Kylie Kwong, Nat Thaipun, Adam Liaw, Lucy Tweed, Karima Hazim, Colin Fassnidge and Jason Roberts, along with talented chef Amber Doig.
Each demonstration offers practical inspiration for incorporating native herbs, spices, fruits and botanicals into everyday cooking while celebrating the remarkable diversity of Australia's natural pantry.
MasterChef Winner Nat Thaipun Opens the Festival
The chef demonstration program begins with 2024 MasterChef Australia winner Nat Thaipun, whose passion for Thai cuisine and global flavours has captivated audiences across Australia.
Drawing upon recipes and techniques passed down through her family, Nat will explore how Australian native ingredients can complement traditional cooking while creating exciting new flavour combinations.
Her opening demonstration is expected to be one of the festival's highlights.
Everyday Cooking with Native Ingredients
Throughout the weekend, visitors will discover practical ways to use native Australian ingredients at home.
Food stylist and cookbook author Lucy Tweed will join Kakadu Kitchen founder Ben Tyler to share simple, accessible ideas for incorporating bush foods into everyday meals. Their relaxed presentation focuses on making native ingredients approachable for home cooks while encouraging greater appreciation of Australia's remarkable edible landscape.
Popular chef Colin Fassnidge will team up with Sharon Winsor in an entertaining cooking session exploring how common pantry ingredients can be replaced with native Australian alternatives, introducing exciting new flavours without unnecessary complexity.
The festival concludes on Sunday with renowned cook, broadcaster and bestselling author Adam Liaw, whose engaging cooking demonstrations always blend practical techniques with fascinating food stories. His closing presentation will provide valuable tips for using native ingredients in everyday family cooking.
Meet Australia's First Nations Producers
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| Indigiearth |
The marketplace offers an outstanding opportunity to purchase authentic Indigenous products including native herbs and spices, gourmet chocolates, bush teas, beauty and wellness products, handcrafted weaving, bush beef jerky and many other uniquely Australian creations.
Shopping directly from Indigenous-owned businesses helps support local communities while encouraging the continued growth of Australia's native food industry.
Hands-On Cultural Experiences
The Australian Native Food Festival offers far more than great food.
Each day features traditional basket weaving workshops presented by Ngumpie Weaving, founded by Barapa Barapa and Barkindji woman Tegan Murdock. Participants can learn traditional Aboriginal weaving techniques while gaining insight into the cultural significance of this enduring art form.
New for 2026 are Ngangkari Healing Treatment Sessions presented by Pitjantjatjara healer Debbie Watson from the APY Lands in South Australia. These one-on-one traditional healing sessions support physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing and require advance bookings due to limited availability.
Together, these experiences offer visitors meaningful opportunities to connect with Indigenous knowledge beyond the culinary program.
Why Native Australian Foods Matter
Australian native ingredients are increasingly recognised by chefs worldwide for their unique flavours, exceptional nutritional value and sustainability.
Ingredients such as lemon myrtle, wattleseed, finger lime, native pepperberry, Davidson plum and Kakadu plum continue to gain international attention while remaining deeply connected to First Nations cultural traditions.
The Australian Native Food Festival provides an ideal introduction for anyone wanting to understand the cultural significance behind these remarkable ingredients while supporting the Indigenous communities leading their revival.
Plan Your Visit
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| Australian Native Food Festival |
General admission is free across both festival days on 26 and 27 September 2026. Tickets for chef demonstrations, weaving workshops and Ngangkari Healing Sessions are available separately and should be booked in advance due to expected demand.
Whether you are a passionate foodie, home cook, traveller or simply curious about Australia's Indigenous heritage, the Australian Native Food Festival offers an unforgettable weekend celebrating the world's oldest continuous living culture through food, storytelling and community.
Australian Native Food Festival
Website: https://carriageworks.com.au/events/australian-native-food-festival/Carriageworks: https://carriageworks.com.au/
Indigiearth: https://indigiearth.com.au/
For more travel inspiration read the daily online The Holiday and Travel Magazine https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com/
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