Stardew Valley Luau Guide (2025): Best Ingredients, Governor’s Reactions & Rewards

The Luau is a community festival hosted at The Beach. You can meet townspeople, interact through dialogue, and most importantly, add an ingredient to the potluck soup.

Festival Timing

  • Date: Summer 11
  • Time Allowed: 9 AM – 2 PM
  • Event Starts: 2 PM
  • Event Ends: 10 PM
  • Location: The Beach (bridge repaired automatically)

Main Goal of the Luau

Your goal is to contribute an ingredient that will make the Governor love the soup. His reaction determines how much friendship you gain (or lose) with every villager.

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Best Ingredients for the Luau Potluck

Top-Tier Ingredients (Always Safe & Excellent)

These guarantee a “Best” or “Excellent” reaction:

IngredientWhy It’s Good
Iridium-Quality CheeseHigh quality + dairy bonus
Iridium TruffleOne of the best universal offerings
Iridium Wine (Any fruit)Strong positive reaction
Gold/Iridium CauliflowerHigh-value crop, easy mid-year
Gold MelonVery easy for Year 1 Luau
Gold PumpkinIf saved from fall
Large Milk (Gold/Iridium)Early reliable choice if you have cows
Gold/Iridium Goat MilkStrong dairy bonus

Year 1 Best Ingredient to Use

Gold Quality Cauliflower or Melon — easy to get and gives a great reaction.

Worst Ingredients (Will Ruin the Soup)

Never add these unless you want chaos:

  • Trash
  • Joja Cola
  • Sap
  • Void Mayonnaise
  • Fish of low quality
  • Weeds
  • Rotten plants or forage with neutral/negative value
  • Anything with negative energy

These trigger terrible reactions and cause massive friendship loss.

Governor’s Reactions & Friendship Changes

Best Reaction

“This is the best soup I’ve ever tasted!”

  • +120 friendship with all villagers

  • Extremely beneficial if you’re building relationships for marriage or cutscenes.

😀 Good Reaction

“It’s a pleasant soup.”

  • +60 friendship with all villagers

😐 Neutral Reaction

“It’s average.”

  • No friendship gain or loss.

😕 Bad Reaction

“It’s kind of bland… What happened?”

  • –50 friendship with all villagers

🤢 Worst Reaction

“This is awful! What did you do?”

  • –100 friendship with all villagers

💡 Tips to Get the Best Luau Result Every Year

1. Save a Gold Melon or Cauliflower

These crops are super easy and perfect for Year 1.

2. If You Have Animals: Use Dairy

Gold/Iridium:

  • Cheese
  • Goat Cheese
  • Large Milk
  • Large Goat Milk

These almost always guarantee an excellent reaction.

3. Brewing Helps

Iridium Wine from:

  • Ancient Fruit
  • Melons
  • Strawberries is an overpowered Luau ingredient.

4. Don’t Rush the Event

You can walk around, talk to villagers, and then start the ceremony.

5. Don’t Add Multiple Items

The game only accepts one item from the player.

What Else Can You Do at the Luau?

Even though the soup is the main event, you can:

  • Socialize with villagers
  • Meet the Governor
  • Explore the decorated beach
  • Listen to music & dance interactions
  • Take screenshots for fun (players love Luau aesthetics)

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