The annual cultural tourism “Taste of Kakadu” festival happens in Jabiru. It’s an invitation to the local and tourist communities to celebrate and immerse themselves in the deep culinary traditions that coincide with Aboriginal culture. This year’s event featured a community cook-up, where hundreds gathered to enjoy a meal that highlighted traditional ingredients and cooking techniques.
Of the performers, 22-year-old junior ranger and cultural ambassador Siah Miargu wowed the audience. He was passionate about teaching people the value of local foods. Miargu showed how to consume “wunt wunt,” an important local food source, and described its cultural importance.
“This is wunt wunt… we just open up, we normally just clean this out, or eat it like this. I tell them the story how our ancestors walked around this area to look for bush tuckers,” Miargu explained.
The event featured renowned chef Paul Iskov, who has traveled extensively from Western Australia to develop culinary dishes that spotlight native ingredients. Iskov highlighted the need for bridging traditional knowledge with modern-day culinary techniques.
“It’s really nice to hear those stories about ingredients that connect country up here,” Iskov said. The water lilies are literally underneath where you fish for the barramundi and this cheeky yam is literally right on the edge of the bank as well, so all these ingredients intertwine.
The festival’s menu included a variety of dishes such as barramundi, bush potatoes, and a sweet treat featuring the Kakadu plum, which has recently gained global attention for its antioxidant properties. Last September, scientists from Queensland demonstrated the plum’s powerful health-boosting properties. The results of their study substantiated age-old wisdom that has been part of the Aboriginal philosophy of life for millennia.
One visitor expressed his appreciation for the experience, stating, “It’s my first time tasting buffalo and I really like it. This is my first time really connecting with Aboriginal culture, and I really love it.”
The “Taste of Kakadu” festival, which features Indigenous food, is uniting people and sparking conversation. Above all, it ignites essential dialogues regarding Aboriginal culture, heritage and the importance of preserving land. It also showcases the critical role of continuing and honoring traditional practices in modern contexts.
