Wonderful Indonesia Gastronomy 2026 to spotlight culinary heritage

Jakarta — The Ministry of Tourism will roll out Wonderful Indonesia Gastronomy (WIG) 2026 from late September through the end of the year, positioning Indonesian cuisine as both cultural heritage and a tourism draw under the theme “From Local Roots to Global Recognition.” According to the ministry and partner organisations, the main program will run in Solo and Yogyakarta from 26 September to 4 October 2026, supported by culinary events and promotions in other cities through 31 December 2026.

The event is presented by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Indonesia Gastronomy Network (IGN). Organisers describe the 2026 edition as broader than the previous programme, shifting focus from mainly gourmet dining to the origins of ingredients and dishes and the local knowledge, traditions and philosophies behind them.

According to a ministry press statement cited by several outlets, WIG 2026’s core activities will be centred in Solo and Yogyakarta during the last week of September and first week of October, while additional programmes will extend to Jakarta, Bali, Semarang, Surabaya, Medan and other destinations.

Programmes and key schedule

The grand opening ceremony is scheduled to take place at Pura Mangkunegaran in Solo on 26 September 2026. The main sequence in Solo and Yogyakarta will introduce curated gastronomic tours, seminars, markets and collaborative dinners designed to showcase regional culinary heritage as part of the visitor experience.

Educational workshops and masterclasses linked to WIG 2026 will be held ahead of the opening at the Bali Tourism Polytechnic on 25 September and at the Medan Tourism Polytechnic on 29 September, in cooperation with French partners. Media reports state that these sessions form part of a broader collaboration with Rendez-Vous Rasa: France–Indonesia Gastronomy Week 2026, a nationwide programme led by the Institut Français d’Indonésie from 23 September to 4 October 2026.

The programme includes WIG Talks, a series of five seminar sessions and one book review on gastronomy featuring more than twenty speakers. An Artisan Market will run at Grand Hotel De Djokja in Yogyakarta from 2 to 4 October, showcasing local products such as artisanal cheese, honey and tea from vendors based in the Joglosemar area and Jakarta.

A Chef Collaboration programme is scheduled throughout October, bringing together Indonesian and international chefs for joint menus and dinners in Solo, Yogyakarta and other cities. One highlighted event is a six-hands dinner in Solo involving Indonesian chefs Degan Septoadji and Wayan Ari Wibowo alongside French chef Stéphane Carrade, organised in partnership with the French Embassy and IFI.

The Culinary Festival, held in cooperation with the Indonesian Shopping Center Management Association (APPBI), will run from 7 October to 1 November 2026 across 32 shopping centres in 14 cities, including Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang, South Tangerang, Bekasi, Surakarta, Sukoharjo, Bandung, Semarang, Magelang, Pontianak, Palembang, Denpasar and Kendari.

In parallel, Indonesia Restaurant Months, themed “Beyond the Plate”, will be conducted from 7 October to 31 December 2026 in partnership with Priceless by Mastercard, featuring around 150 curated restaurants.

Tourism, trade and preservation goals

According to statements from IGN and the ministry, WIG 2026 aims to promote Indonesian cuisine while strengthening the national gastronomy ecosystem and supporting culinary business growth, positioning food experiences as a core element of travel. Organisers highlight objectives that range from raising international awareness of Indonesia’s food heritage to encouraging collaboration across chefs, tourism operators, shopping centres and payment partners.

Media reports and ministry communications emphasise the cultural-preservation aspect of the programme, noting that events will present the origins of dishes, local wisdom and traditions as well as contemporary gastronomic innovations. The partnership with France through Rendez-Vous Rasa is framed as an international dimension that connects culinary traditions, professionals and younger generations in both countries while contributing to the development of their gastronomic heritage.

Organisers and partner outlets indicate that activities will target both domestic and international visitors, with segments designed for the general public, food professionals and tourism stakeholders. Practical details on reservations, ticketing and which events are open-access are being provided progressively by participating venues and platforms.

Sources

• CNN Indonesia - Lewat WIG 2026, Kemenpar Ajak Wisman Kenali Cerita Kuliner Indonesia
• Travel and Tour World - Wonderful Indonesia Gastronomy 2026: Discover Culinary Heritage
• Epicure Asia - Wonderful Indonesia Gastronomy 2026: From Local Roots to Global Recognition
• RRI.co.id - Wonderful Indonesia Gastronomy 2026 Brings Local Flavors to the World
• IDN Times - Wonderful Indonesia Gastronomy 2026 di Solo dan Yogyakarta
• Liputan6 - Wonderful Indonesia Gastronomy 2026 Bawa Kuliner Indonesia dari Meja Makan ke Pengalaman Wisata
• Gastronusa - Wonderful Indonesia Gastronomy 2026 Digelar di Solo dan Yogyakarta
• Xpose Indonesia - WIG 2026 Bawa Cerita Kuliner Indonesia dari Solo dan Yogyakarta ke Panggung Global
• IDX Channel - Wonderful Indonesia Gastronomy 2026 Digelar, Intip Rangkaian Programnya
• Bali Discovery - 58% of Foreign Visitors Come to Explore Indonesian Cuisine
• Institut Français d’Indonésie - Rendez-Vous Rasa: France-Indonesia Gastronomy Week 2026
• Indonesia.travel (English) - WIG 2026: Celebrating Indonesia's Culinary Heritage from Jakarta to ...