The “Zaube Wild Food Festival” will gather visitors for the ninth time to join culinary
masters, homemakers, hunters, fishermen, nature experts, and artisans in honoring the
generational knowledge passed down about wild nature’s gifts.
The festival’s concept is based on the interaction of local intangible cultural heritage – the
use of wild products in food – with contemporary, professional culinary arts. The event is
rooted in the traditions of the Zaube hunting community, which has preserved hunting and
game preparation skills, herbal tea gathering and usage traditions passed down through
generations that wider public can enjoy through the well-known brand “Lauku tējas” (Country
Teas) as well as local mushroom and berry picking traditions.
A new highlight this year is the collaboration with the “Young Chefs Movement,” which
brings together highly skilled chefs. They will lead several exciting activities:
● wild product cooking competitions for chefs,
● a cooking contest where festival visitors are also invited to participate,
● restaurant-level food demonstrations.
In contrast, Zaube hunters will demonstrate family-established recipes, following the “from
tail to nose” principle – using every part of the animal.
The essence of the festival is not only the use of wild products but also the authentic
cooking experience in the open air – over live fire, without electricity.
The theme of the 2025 festival is “Autumn Rhythms.” This theme will weave through the
festival program in various ways:
● rhythms of nature and the associated hunting knowledge,
● rhythms of cooking and seasonal product colors,
● tea mandalas and winter preserves jar competition “Autumn Rhythms in a Jar,”
● informative lectures,
● as well as music and dance,
● in the products brought by the market participants.
The “Zaube Wild Food Festival” is not only a celebration of honouring the traditions but
also a discovery of new tastes, skills, and experiences, as well as a philosophy of harmony
between nature and humans.
The event will be hosted by musician Reinis Reķis.
Entry free of charge.