13 Kuching chefs gear up for Culinary World Cup in Ipoh this June 27
KUCHING (June 13): Kuching is set to make waves on the national and international culinary stage once again as 13 local chefs prepare to represent the city at the second edition of the Malaysia Culinary World Cup (MCWC), to be held from June 27 to 29, at Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah in Meru Raya, Ipoh.
The event, organised by the Malaysia Bersatu Culinary Association (MBCA) in collaboration with the Global Chef Union (GCU), will gather nearly 800 culinary entries from over 26 countries, including the United States, Australia, and nations in North Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Kuching South mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said the city's participation in the MCWC reflects its commitment as a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy to preserve, promote, and innovate Sarawak's diverse food heritage.
'This is more than just a culinary competition – it is a platform to celebrate the identity, stories, and creativity of Sarawak cuisine on a global stage,' he said during the press conference at Annie Kolo Mee here yesterday.
Among the chefs representing Kuching are Annie Wee from Annie Kolo Mee, showcasing Sarawak Laksa and Kolo Mee; Wilson Voon from Da Pu Hakka Noodle, presenting Hakka Noodles; Robbie Richard from Little Fairy Cafe & Fairy Tavern, Lana Akam and Janncy Nyohim from Fairy Tavern, presenting Borneo Cuisine; Kim Bong from Mee Too, highlighting Kolo Mee; and Benny Huang from Xian Corner, presenting seafood cuisine.
Also competing are Alvin Chin, who is Team Manager at Jordan's Signature Catering, along with teammates Yeo Ing Siang, Awang Mohd Safwan, Bradley Allan Jerome, Nicholas Banta Paul, and Nadia Tan. Their competition categories include modern Western poultry, mooncakes, seafood, mee goreng mamak, char kueh tiaw, and Malaysian Laksa.
Adding prestige to the team are Chef Julian Lai from Little Hainan and Chef Jordan Wee, who will serve as MBCA committee members and judges at the event.
Wee expressed pride in the team and their dedication to showcasing the true flavours of Kuching to the world, from traditional noodles to inventive modern creations.
'We wish our chefs all the very best. May they not only bring home medals, but also inspire others to appreciate and reimagine our culinary heritage in bold, creative ways,' he said.
The MCWC is supported by Tourism Perak, the National Archives of Malaysia, the Ipoh City Council, and the Perak State Development Corporation.
Highlighting the scale of the event, MBCA committee member Julian Lai said the MCWC will feature 65 competition categories judged by 115 professionals – 60 local and 55 international.
Beyond the competition, visitors can look forward to a festive atmosphere similar to Kuching Festival, with 80 food stalls offering a variety of local and international dishes.
'It's not just for those competing. The public can also come, relax, and enjoy the food – just like what we have during the Kuching Festival, but this one is in Ipoh,' Lai added. Ipoh Kuching Malaysia Culinary World Cup
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
7 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Mayor eyes 100,000 visitors in a day as Kuching Festival Food Fair nears finale
Wee delivering his speech at the Kuching Got Talent 2025 competition held at the MBKS Floating Theatre. – All photos by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (Aug 11): Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng hopes that the Kuching Festival Food Fair 2025 will attract more than 100,000 visitors in a single day before the festival ends on Aug 17. Wee revealed that the festival had recorded more than 90,000 visitors on one day this year. He disclosed the figure amid recent criticisms of the festival, which has been running since July 25, from certain quarters. 'So if you (critics) have any issues with the Mayor, put them aside. Come face to face with the Mayor. Don't go around criticising a festival that is loved by so many Kuchingites,' he said at the Kuching Got Talent 2025 competition, held at the MBKS Floating Theatre here last night. The talent competition featured 35 talented youths selected as finalists from a pool of 200 participants. Acknowledging the impressive calibre of young talent showcased, Wee has called for the establishment of more platforms to showcase youth talent in the city, with the aim of nurturing their potential. 'Our youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are the heartbeat of today. They are full of ideas, talent, and dreams. 'And when we give them the space to perform, the confidence to believe, and the support to keep going, they will take Kuching, Sarawak, and Malaysia to greater heights. 'So let us not stop here. Let us create more spaces like this, community halls or theatres buzzing with activity, youth hubs alive with music and dance, and public venues filled with art, laughter, and celebration,' he said. Noting that MBKS is not just a council that manages roads and rubbish, Wee said the council has the vision, heart and determination to give every citizen, young and old, a chance to flourish. 'Tonight, we see that vision in action. This stage is more than a platform. It's a launchpad for hidden talents, a meeting point for community spirit, and a powerful reminder that when we give people a chance, they can surprise us, inspire us, and make us proud,' he said. In the singing category for participants aged 12 and below, Kaylyn Wong Yan Lin emerged as champion, followed by Syarif Zakwan Suhardi in second place and Edmund Chin Ying Hung in third. For the 13 years old and above category, Phang Zhi Ning took first place, with Summer Wong Li Yii and Agnes Ling Sing Yue finishing second and third respectively. In the dance category, My Dance was victorious, followed by Tatakai and Caeki. Meanwhile, in the other talents category, Synwave clinched the top spot, ahead of Bung Rentak and Chung Hua Middle School No. 1. Also present were Deputy Mayor Dato Dr Zaiedi Suhaili, along with MBKS councillors and other guests. Kuching Festival Food Fair 2025 lead Wee Hong Seng
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
Family fun and friendly competition at Kuching Festival Fishing Competition
Wee (third rght) and others at the launch of the fishing competition. KUCHING (Aug 9): The Kuching Festival Fishing Competition drew 150 participants this year, meeting the target set by organiser Kuching South City Council (MBKS). Kuching South mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng described the event as more of a family outing than a competition, with participants arriving alongside their loved ones to enjoy a day by the water. People from all walks of life gathered around the man-made lake at Kuching Park, next to the MBKS Complex, for the event, which offered 23 prizes, including RM2,500 in cash for the champion. Wee said the fishing competition, held in conjunction with the annual Kuching Festival, not only promotes social interaction and integration but also helps MBKS manage the overpopulation of fish in the lake. According to him, the fish population increases rapidly because park visitors frequently feed them. 'The fishing competition is meant for everyone to take part in,' he said. 'We have lined up several activities for this year's city day celebration and, apart from this fishing competition, we also have a pickleball competition, cosplay competition, and a K-pop event.' Wee added that MBKS aims to shape the Kuching Festival to match current trends and demands. 'Not only are we keeping some traditions, but we also explore new things. We need to offer programmes that meet the people's needs,' he said. The mayor expressed hope that more people would take part in festival activities, in line with MBKS' mission to preserve a healthy and liveable city. He also extended his appreciation to the public for their cooperation and continued support for the council's initiatives. community fishing competition Kuching Festival Wee Hong Seng
The Star
5 days ago
- The Star
Labubu craze takes over global culture
BEIJING: Last month, Jazzlyn Jasper, 23, a student from California State University in the United States, visited Beijing as part of 2025 Youth Talk China, a cultural exchange programme. During her stay, she stopped by Wangfujing Street — one of the city's busiest shopping districts — where she purchased a Labubu toy, a fuzzy, fang-toothed character that has recently become a global sensation. While Labubu's rise may seem sudden, the character actually dates back to 2015. It was created by Hong Kong-born illustrator Kasing Lung as part of his "The Monsters" collection — a set of characters inspired by Dutch and Nordic folklore. Now, Labubu is riding a wave of global interest, especially as a collectible bag charm. The hashtag#Labubu has appeared more than a million times on TikTok. "In America, Labubu toys are really popular right now," Jasper said. "A Pop Mart store even opened in the mall near my home. The toys have been sold out everywhere, so seeing them here in Beijing is super fun. I thought, 'Oh, I will get one too.'" Holding up her yellow Labubu, which she got from a blind box, Jasper beamed with excitement — a reflection of the toy's quirky charm that has captured hearts across generations and cultures. Pop Mart, the company behind Labubu, now operates in over 30 countries, with more than 550 stores and pop-up locations, according to 9 News. On July 19, in Melbourne's chilly winter, the grand opening of Pop Mart's new store on Bourke Street underscored the character's worldwide appeal. The sidewalk outside the store was lined with camping chairs and sleeping bags. "By morning, the line stretched as far as I could see — all just to get a limited-edition Labubu doll," said Wang Anyu, 25, a Chinese student studying in Australia. To meet growing demand, Pop Mart is rapidly expanding its retail footprint across North America and Europe, opening stores and deploying its signature vending machines, known as "Roboshops", according to S&P Global. "Labubu's appeal lies partly in its aesthetic — a blend of maximalist and 'ugly-cute' styles that resonate deeply with Western youth," said Kiara Amato, 20, a student at La Rochelle University in France. "The toy's 'devilish' grin and quirky fangs match the 'bad angel' archetype popular in alternative fashion scenes. Labubu looks a bit evil — not like a Disney baby — but it's cute in its own way." Celebrity endorsements have been another major factor driving Labubu's breakthrough in Western markets. "Celebrities have played an outsize role," confirmed Jasper. In April 2024, for example, Blackpink's Lisa was seen with a Labubu dangling from her luxury handbag, igniting a global trend. Soon after, NBA star Dillon Brooks and soccer icon David Beckham were also spotted with Labubu accessories, and Beckham later shared an Instagram photo of a Labubu gifted to him by his daughter. This kind of high-profile exposure helped propel Labubu into mainstream culture, allowing it to transcend its role as a toy. "Its cultural flexibility makes it a canvas onto which collectors project meaning — from high-fashion statements to nostalgic comfort," said Addison Winslow, a councilmember from Chicago, California. "Labubu now sits at the intersection of art, fashion and commerce." Interestingly, Labubu's primary fan base in the West is not children, but adults. In 2024, buyers aged 18 and over contributed to a year-over-year increase of more than US$800 million in the US toy market, according to market research firm Circana. The hype has even reached the fashion rental market. "With fashion rental gaining momentum, you can now rent Labubu by the day in the UK," said Alexander Hughes, a student at the University of Edinburgh. "Trends may not last forever, so renting one to match an outfit is smarter than buying." Rental platforms like By Rotation in the UK offer Labubu dolls for £3 (IS$3.98) per day, while Hurr lists premium versions starting from £22, according to The Independent. "Labubu's global boom illustrates a fusion of culture and commerce — combining original Chinese IP with Western consumerism, celebrity power and social media virality," noted Winslow. - China Daily/ANN
