The Ubud Food Festival is the region’s leading culinary festival, celebrating the diversity and taste of Indonesia’s culinary world, tempting thousands of food lovers from all over the world. The Festival, featuring over three days, includes special events, cooking demos, food tours, talks, workshops, arts performances, films, and more.
Themed Take it to the Streets, this year’s festival will be a flavorful expedition across the streets of Indonesia and beyond, where every bite tells a story of tradition, innovation, and pure culinary bliss. Passionate foodies can discover the mouthwatering tastes of Asia’s bustling streets and have an opportunity to meet some of the region’s best street food heroes and talents.
Your contribution of time means the world to us, and we want your experience to be positive and fulfilling. Here are a few reminders of what we expect from our volunteers:
• Respect: Treat all patrons, Festival staff members, and fellow volunteers with kindness, courtesy, and respect.
• Punctuality: Arrive at your shift on time, giving yourself plenty of time to navigate any potential traffic.
Print: 58.3% Indonesia Malaysia Singapore Australia 18,500 3,500
Total Attendance Female Male prefer not to disclose 41.7% 7,700 3,000
• Communication: Respond promptly to emails and phone calls from the Festival staff to ensure smooth coordination.
Yes 8,100 5
No 1,092 100
69,537 1
• Flexibility: Be open to working with your coordination team or staff supervisor, and follow their guidance and advice.
• Focus: While on duty, give your full attention to your responsibilities. Let’s minimize distractions by refraining from cell phone use and excessive socializing during performances.
• Knowledgeable: Be prepared to answer questions about the area you’re working in, as well as questions about the venue and the Festival itself.
• Reachout: If something isn’t working out or if you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to share them with us. We’re here to help and support you every step of the way.
• A 3-Day Pass to the Festival (except for the Special Events, Masterclasses, and Workshops)
• A Volunteer ID and a volunteer T-shirt that must be worn while you are on shift, as well as a ‘goodie bag’.
• Meals and drinks during your shifts.
• An invitation to the closing night party.
• A Certificate of Appreciation (which you can get on the last day at Volunteer Base Camp).
• Transportation to and from the Festival’s venues
» Shuttle buses (See Google Maps) to main venues based on a daily schedule.
» Ojek drivers will be available (see ‘ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW’).
• Any meals on non-volunteering days.
• Any flights or transportation to and from Ubud.
• Any accommodation or any additional expenses.
• Any Visa and sponsorship assistance.
• An invitation to the Opening Night Parts, Special Events, Masterclasses, and Workshops/Masterclasses.
As a volunteer for the Ubud Food Festival, you may sign up for the following opportunities. All positions are available during the Festival itself unless otherwise specified.
• Audio Visual
• Box Office*
• Floaters (working in various areas according to the Festival’s need)
• Green Room
• Indonesian Chef/Presenter Liaison*
• Information Centre*
• International Chef/Presenter Liaison*
• Interpreters
• Kitchen Stage/Teater Kuliner Assistant
• Media Centre
• Night Events (Music & Film)
• Moderator/MC (bilingual – English and Indonesian)
• Merchandise Centre
• Partners & Vendors Liaison
• Photographer
• Program Workshops/Masterclasses & Kid’s Events
• Social Media Content Creator*
• Special Event
• Supervisor*
• Videographer
• Volunteer Base Camp*
*These positions might start before the Ubud Food Festival.
You will be responsible for the safe handling and storage of technical equipment. For this position, you need to be familiar with setting up and operating audiovisual equipment, such as sound systems, LCD screens, projectors, etc. Knowledge of the venue is also an asset.
You will assist in the sale and the exchange of tickets while knowing key information about this year’s Festival. You are also responsible for the Lost and Found desk immediately prior to, during, and immediately after your shifts.
You will deal with guest complaints, ticketing problems, and guests’ concerns, while providing courteous and prompt service to Festival visitors at the Festival’s Information Center booth, and Festival online followers via the Festival’s social media accounts. You are also responsible for the Lost and Found desk immediately prior to, during, and immediately after your shifts.
You will help to facilitate all of our media engagements. Duties include greeting national and international press delegates, assisting with photocalls, interviews, and new conferences, and acting as an information point for enquiries. You will also be responsible to monitor and support our official photographers and filmmakers.
As a Floater volunteer, you are on standby and ready to help whichever area may be short-handed. You might cover for absences in other volunteer teams. This role is an excellent opportunity to experience lots of different aspects of the Festival, including behind-the-scenes activities.
You will act as a point of information at the Festival Partners Information Desk. You will help to distribute Partners’ tote bags and support inquiries from stall vendors, engage with Partnership Assistants and the production team, as well as check on sponsored promotional materials across all our Festival’s venues.
You will be responsible for assisting with the sales of the Festival and act as an information point for merchandise enquiries.
You will be maintaining punctuality and timekeeping for selected sessions, making announcements and introductions mainly in English (Indonesian language is an asset), and liaising with the Festival Management for problem-solving. Appropriate attire is a must and can vary between each session.
You will be responsible for welcoming and guiding presenters and festival guests, as well as supporting the Audiovisual Team, MCs, and Logistics Staff in administrative tasks, while helping with the safety management—especially for kids.
You will provide support for other volunteer teams and lead volunteer orientation sessions. Your duties also include administrative tasks such as preparing and distributing information and forms.
You will welcome chefs and presenters attending our program, support them prior, during, and after their events. You will also help to make sure they are well looked after during their stay, while accompanying them for their sessions. You will provide support for relevant ad hoc duties from Festival Management, MCs, and Logistics. Knowledge of the venue is an asset.
You will help to facilitate all our international and national guests’ engagements and act as an information point for any of their inquiries. Demonstrating a positive and reliable attitude is an asset. You must also be fluent in English.
You will be assisting in collaboration with our staff, coordinating transportation needs for speakers between various venues, including hotels, travel within Ubud, and in helping schedule drivers. Experience in transportation logistics and/or event management is an asset.
You will assist the Sound Engineering team to set up the related equipment, supporting the performers prior, during, and after the events, and counting the audience as well as filling the headcount sheet.
Your duties include preparing snacks and ingredients directed by the chefs, making sure the kitchen area is clean (including, but not limited to, washing dishes, taking out trash, cleaning the table, etc), and assisting in organizing equipment as well as ingredients as directed.
You will provide translation during sessions, and interpret for chefs, guests, and during media interviews in both English and Indonesian. You must be fluent in both languages and feel comfortable speaking in front of crowds.
You will document events and capture images for commercial purposes. Food photography experience is a plus.
Your duty is to take notes and collect interesting quotes during sessions, including to provide coverage for stories, live streams, posts, and video content—for all Festival’s social media and marketing platforms.
Have you previously volunteered for the Ubud Food Festival or any other festival and want to get more involved? Joining our supervisor team might be a good fit for you!
As a supervisor, you play a vital role in guiding and supporting a group of volunteers while overseeing a designated area at the event to ensure everything runs smoothly. Here are our expectations for supervisors:
• Experience: It’s great if you’ve volunteered at festivals before, especially in the same area of work.
• Commitment: We’ll need you to dedicate one month of your time working remotely, plus one week before the festival at our office, and your availability for the entire festival duration.
• Leadership: You’ll be managing a team of volunteers and overseeing their tasks, collaborating closely with the Volunteer Coordinator Team.
• Punctuality and Respect: Showing up on time, being prepared to work, and treating everyone with kindness and respect are essential.
• Professionalism: Always maintain a professional demeanor in your interactions and responsibilities.
• Dedication: Give your best effort in everything you do and take pride in your work.
• Reporting: You’ll need to write a report detailing the activities and outcomes of the supervised area.
• Comfort with Scheduling: Being comfortable with scheduling and managing teams is important for this role.
We encourage volunteers of all ages and abilities to participate in our program. Our expectations for our volunteers are stated in the ‘EXPECTATIONS & GUIDELINES’.
Once you have decided on your preferred role(s), please follow the link below and complete our application form.
• You can apply to volunteer by signing up to our online festival volunteer application at ubudfoodfestival.com/volunteer.
• You will receive email notification of your submission at the same address you provided in your application.
• If shortlisted, you will receive an email by the Mid of April. We will ask to email a bio. If you are not short-listed, you will receive a notification throughout the process as well.
• Confirmation of placements will start from 29 April 2024.
NOTE:
• We can only accept a limited number of the volunteers for each area.
• Once your role is confirmed, we will send you the work schedule (roster). We cannot change your role and roster.
• You can cancel without penalty until 6 May 2024. Any cancellations on or after that date will result in inability to volunteer at future events. Emergency cancellations will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
• We will send the schedule (rosters) on 14 May 2024. It is not an easy or quick process to confirm, allocate roles, and organize rosters. So, please be sure that you have understood all of the requirements before applying.
• Volunteers will have the chance to meet each other and their supervisors, ask questions, and receive their welcome ‘goodie bags’ during our Orientation Day, which will be held on the 30 May 2024
• Upon confirmation, we will send a link to our WhatsApp volunteers’ group, so you can communicate with other volunteers.
• Should you need a confirmation letter from your university to inform your involvement in the Festival as a volunteer, please let us know in advance via email.
Below is all the key information you need, and useful tips on maximizing your volunteering experience.
We provide a shuttle bus from Ubud/Central Parking to the festival site, operating on a limited schedule.
Ojeks, motorbike taxis, are the fastest option to travel to and from the venue. Ojek drivers wear festival t-shirts and name tags, located by the parking lot next to the Left Bank. Rides are free for volunteers. In case of issues or safety concerns, inform your supervisor.
We aim to match you with a suitable role based on your interests but cannot guarantee your preferred assignment due to operational needs. Changes may occur due to unforeseen circumstances.
Flexibility with shifts is necessary as changes may occur. You can swap shifts with team members after informing your supervisor.
One meal and drink are provided for every five-hour shift completed. Special dietary requests should be communicated during registration. Meals are available at the Volunteer Base Camp.
Casual, presentable clothing is recommended. Festival T-shirts are preferred. Certain positions require formal attire (see ‘Volunteer Positions’).
Inform your supervisor of any changes preventing you from volunteering. Email volunteers@yayasansaraswati.org for further assistance.
Familiarize yourself with the Daily Schedule provided before the Festival. Recognize important names and faces associated with the event.
Attendance at the compulsory briefing on 30 May 2024 at the Ubud Food Festival’s office is mandatory. Key information, safety guidelines, and role instructions will be provided. You will receive a volunteer ID, T-shirt, and ‘goodie bags’. Bring hydration and packed lunch. Upon joining, you’ll be invited to the Volunteer WhatsApp Group for further communication.
If you have a problem you’d like to chat about—big or small, personal or practical, if you’re feeling a bit lost or overwhelmed during the Festival—we have a team to help you out.
Email us at volunteers@yayasansaraswati.org by scanning the following QR code
