19-05-2025
Ipoh to host Malaysian Culinary World Cup 2025
IPOH: Several types of Malaysian heritage food will be presented during the second Malaysian Culinary World Cup 2025, to be held here in June.
Besides the food prepared for the competition, visitors to the three-day event from June 27 to June 29 will also have the opportunity to savour the delicacies.
Celebrity Chef Fazalina Ismail announced that dishes such as "Nasi Ayam", "Mee Goreng", and "Laksa" would be featured during the competition.
"Additionally, the National Archives Department will have a corner showcasing special traditional Perak food such as 'Bubur Anak Lebah', 'Nasi Lemuni', and 'Ikan Sungai Masak Tempoyak'," she said during a press conference held at Tandoor Grill Restaurant here on Tuesday (May 19).
Perak Deputy Speaker Jenny Choy Tsi Jen represented Perak tourism, industry, investment, and corridor development committee chairman Loh Sze Yee.
Also present was Malaysia Bersatu Culinary Association (MBCA) president Chef Arthur Lim. MBCA is organising the event.
Choy, reading out the speech on behalf of Loh, stated that the event is an international culinary competition being held for the second time.
She mentioned the first edition was organised in 2023 at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur, where it earned recognition from the Guinness World Records as the world's largest culinary competition.
"The event returns for its second edition, this time to be held at Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah in Ipoh, which will serve as the stage for showcasing talents in the culinary arts.
"To date, nearly 660 entries, comprising 500 local and 160 international participants, have been received.
"The competition will take place over three days, featuring 65 categories for both professional chefs and culinary students," she said, adding that among the 115 professional judges, 55 are from international countries.
Choy said there will also be categories for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), both for adults and children.
"In addition, there will be 80 booths selling local products throughout the three-day programme.
"Competitions like this serve to uncover the talents of both professional chefs and culinary students, enhancing quality and techniques in the culinary world to compete at an international level.
"Furthermore, hotel and tourism industry players often use such competitions as a platform to scout for new talents to join their organisations," she said, adding that admission to the event is free for visitors.
Lim said Ipoh has a lot to offer, and the event was held here to promote the city's and the state's tourist attractions.
"Usually such big events are organised in Kuala Lumpur or Penang.
"So this time we wanted to do something different and hold the event in Ipoh instead," he added.
Among the strategic partners supporting the event are the National Archives of Malaysia, Tourism Perak, Ipoh City Council, and the Perak State Development Corporation.
