5 days ago
House husband drives home brand-new Isuzu D-Max
The winners of the the 'Jom Masak & Menang Bersama' campaign with the organisers.
KOTA KINABALU (Aug 12): Forty-two-year-old Likas resident, Awang Hisham Bin Sitar @ Awang Sitar, emerged victorious in the 'Jom Masak & Menang Bersama' campaign organised by MAGGI in conjunction with the Kaamatan season.
The former food stall operator turned full-time house husband took home the grand prize — a brand-new Isuzu D-Max.
Awang Hisham said the win was a blessing for his family of five.
'Cooking has always been a passion, and this competition gave me a chance to share my love for Sabahan food,' he said at the prize presentation ceremony at ITCC Mall in Penampang on Sunday.
The first runner-up received branded cooking appliances worth RM3,000, while the other five finalists each took home RM1,500 worth of appliances.
With the theme 'Honouring the Cooks Behind the Festivities', the event was a vibrant celebration of Sabahan cuisine, featuring local ingredients, passionate home cooks and charitable contributions to uplift communities.
Seven finalists, selected after a two-month search across the state, competed under the tagline 'Warisan Citarasa Sabah'. In the first round, they were tasked with creating dishes using a mystery box of local produce, including Jeruk Bambangan — a nod to Sabah's rich culinary heritage.
The top three moved on to a taste test challenge, identifying five mystery ingredients.
Awang Hisham answered all the five ingredients correctly.
MAGGI also marked the occasion with a charitable gesture, donating RM0.10 for every MAGGI product purchased between May 1 and June 30, raising RM15,000 for PACOS Trust Sabah, an NGO empowering women and indigenous communities across the state.
Sabah Rural Development Corporation (KPD) chairman Datuk Jannie Lasimbang lauded the company's commitment, saying:
'For over two decades, MAGGI has stood alongside us during Kaamatan. Beyond embracing our culture and heritage, their efforts to uplift local communities are commendable, and I look forward to continuing this meaningful partnership.'
MAGGI Malaysia and Singapore Business Executive Officer Ivy Tan Link Cheh said the campaign was about more than food.
'We are honoured to be part of Sabahans' lives and celebrations each year. Through meaningful partnerships, we can help underserved communities move forward while honouring local traditions and cuisine.'
This year's celebrations also featured the first-ever East Malaysian stop of the nationwide MAGGI Kari-Lah Roadshow. Visitors experienced five interactive zones inspired by taste, aroma, texture, sound and sight, alongside cooking showcases of Kerabu MAGGI Latok and MAGGI Kari Jeruk Bambangan by MAGGI chefs Sharifah Hamidah Syed Mohsin and Muhammad Hakimi Badrul Hisham.
The event wrapped up with cultural performances, games, and a warm reminder of Kaamatan's essence — togetherness, tradition and sharing good food.
