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Borneo Post
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Savouring Tradition and Celebrating Food, Culture and Community: MAGGI's Heartfelt Tribute to the Heritage of Sabahans through the Annual Kaamatan Campaign
Velyzeah Barukon from Ranau winning the Isuzu D-Max in 2024. KUALA LUMPUR (May 30): For generations, MAGGI® has been more than just a staple in Malaysian kitchens, it has been a trusted companion, flavouring not only food, but also the moments that bring families and communities together. Its presence is deeply woven into the fabric of Malaysian life, and nowhere is this more evident than during the Kaamatan season in East Malaysia. As the people of Sabah come together to celebrate Kaamatan with family, MAGGI® proudly continues its long-standing tradition of being part of these cherished festivities. Since 2003, MAGGI® has held a meaningful role in these celebrations, a symbol of home, heritage, and the joy of togetherness through food. As families gather to celebrate the harvest and pay tribute to their cultural heritage, MAGGI® remains a cherished part of the festivities, uniting generations through the power of food. This year, MAGGI® embraces the theme, 'Honouring the Cooks Behind the Festivities', a tribute to the unsung heroes consisting of mothers, elders, home cooks, and grassroots chefs who pass down treasured recipes, cultural values, and family traditions through the meals they lovingly prepare. The souls of every celebration that quietly connects the past with the present, one dish at a time. To preserve and share this culinary heritage, every year MAGGI® introduces festive recipes that pay tribute to the authentic flavours of Sabah. These recipes spotlight local ingredients and traditions while also showcasing the authentic flavours of Bornean cuisine in ways that are accessible to home cooks everywhere. From MAGGI® Sambal Tumis Tuhau to Linopot Tawadak Badungan and MAGGI® Asam Laksa Jeruk Bambangan, these dishes reflect carefully crafted recipes with modern-day twist of convenience and these recipes are made available on Visit for more recipe inspiration. Essential to these recipes are kitchen staples like MAGGI® CukupRasa™ and MAGGI® Sambal Tumis, loved by many for their ability to help home cooks achieve depth and authenticity in their meals. And for those who crave speedy meals, MAGGI® Kari and MAGGI® Asam Laksa are especially loved by East Malaysians for their rich and authentic flavours. Building on the commitment of preserving heritage, MAGGI® takes a meaningful step to collaborate with passionate East Malaysian chefs who embody the spirit of culinary heritage. In Sabah, MAGGI® partners with Chef Melvin Gatu, known for reimagining Kadazan-Dusun dishes with a modern twist. For Chef Melvin, the celebration of Kaamatan is rooted in heritage, family, and gratitude—all of which are expressed through food. His journey began in Ranau, where he returned after formal culinary training to reconnect with his roots. Through digital platforms, he shares traditional Sabahan dishes, making them accessible and appealing to younger generations by promoting local ingredients and techniques. 'Growing up, I celebrated Kaamatan by cooking at home with my family,' shares Chef Melvin. 'I learned from my mother how to prepare ingredients like Tuhau and Losun with care and intention. Now, I bring that same care into my work, sharing dishes like Ikan Basung Goreng with Sambal Tumis Bunga Kantan and Nasi Goreng Losun Ikan Masin as a way to honour Sabah's diverse, rich culinary identity.' Through this partnership with MAGGI®, Chef Melvin hopes to inspire new generations to embrace their heritage. 'I truly appreciate MAGGI® for elevating local chefs and flavours. Collaborating with them allows me to modernise traditional dishes while staying true to our roots. Products like MAGGI® Sambal Tumis or MAGGI® CukupRasa™ make it easier for more people to experience the taste of Kaamatan in their own homes. With authentic flavours and taste now available in a convenient format, I'm proud to stand with MAGGI® in preserving our heritage.' This shared mission of empowerment extends beyond the kitchen as MAGGI®'s beloved 'Jom Masak & Menang Bersama' campaign returns from May 1 to June 30, rewarding loyal consumers and giving back to the communities. With every RM8 spent on MAGGI® products, participants can submit receipts for a chance to win prizes including cash and even a car. The impact of the campaign goes further with RM0.10 from every entry being donated to local NGOs. This year, the contribution supports PACOS. Trust in Sabah, an organisation dedicated to indigenous community development. The heart of this initiative shines through personal stories, as seen in Velyzeah Barukon, a 2024 winner from Ranau, Sabah. As a mother of school-going children, winning a car as the grand prize has transformed her family's daily life. 'When I found out I had won, I was absolutely overjoyed! We used to rely on others just to get to town or send the kids to school. Now, everything is so much more convenient,' she shares. 'MAGGI® products are both budget-friendly and delicious, if you're already a fan, why not take a chance? I'll definitely be entering again!' MAGGI®'s commitment doesn't end with seasonal celebrations as the brand continues to support East Malaysian communities year-round through long-term partnerships with organisations like Helping Hands Penan, Hope Place, and the Malaysian Red Crescent Society, focusing on women empowerment, skills development, education, and essential aid. Celebration is incomplete without community, and MAGGI® ensures the joy of Kaamatan reaches even the most remote corners of Sabah. Through on-ground events including cooking carnivals, roadshows, cooking demonstrations, and competitions, MAGGI® hopes to create festive moments where communities can share culinary talents, enjoy games, and celebrate their heritage with pride and unity. These experiences allow MAGGI® to listen, learn, and serve East Malaysian families with sincerity and purpose for their festive Kaamatan celebrations. MAGGI® invites all Malaysians to reflect on the power of food to unite us, preserve our heritage, and inspire change. From cherished recipes and empowering campaigns to partnerships rooted in care, MAGGI® remains a steadfast ally in the kitchen and beyond. As families come together to celebrate Kaamatan, let's honour the cooks who bring the feast to life, cherish our traditions, and cook with a heart full of with MAGGI® by our side. food Kaamatan Maggi recipe
Borneo Post
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Celebrating Sabah's heritage with modern Kadazan-Dusun cuisine
Chef Melvin and the dishes he created in collaboration with MAGGI, the Nasi Goreng Losun Ikan Masin and Ikan Basung Goreng Marinated with Tuhau. KOTA KINABALU (May 24): For Kaamtan and Gawai this year, MAGGI is collaborating with two inspiring East Malaysian chefs whose stories and recipes reflect the soul of the season and share a deep connection to their culinary roots. In Sabah, Chef Melvin Gatu is breathing new energy into Kadazan-Dusun cuisine with his modern take on classics such as Nasi Goreng Losun Ikan Masin, a flavourful fried rice dish featuring wild garlic shoots and salted fish, and Ikan Basung Goreng Marinated with Tuhau, a local ginger-like root that adds a bold, tangy kick, capturing the essence of Sabah's rich culinary heritage. This dish also paired perfectly with MAGGI Sambal Tumis Kantan, giving a unique and authentic flavour with an added layer of aroma and spice. 'Kaamatan is about gratitude for our harvest, our ancestors and the people we enjoy meals with. These are not just any recipes; they are part of our unique identity. I'm privileged to work with MAGGI to bring these flavours to a wider audience while staying true to our roots,' said Chef Melvin who hails from Ranau. Chef Melvin's love for cooking began young and at seven, he cooked and served his first dish for his family, his mother's chicken curry, a recipe that he still uses nowadays. 'I was just seven and every Saturday, we would go to the tamu to pick out ingredients. That is where I learned about food, the ingredients, and how to choose the best produce,' he recalled. At 14, he knew he wanted to be a chef. After graduating, Chef Melvin trained in Kuala Lumpur under a well-known Malaysian chef who had a deep pride in local cuisine, even as he mastered French techniques. 'He inspired me. I thought, if he can elevate Malaysian food, why can't I do the same with Sabahan cuisine?' said Chef Melvin when speaking to the media recently. Over the years, Chef Melvin built an impressive resume, working across restaurants and hotels for a decade before accepting a role in Qatar. 'Being overseas opened my eyes. People from Kenya, Tunisia, India, everyone I met was proud of their food. It made me even more determined to promote my own,' he said and returned to Sabah with a vision to document and modernize Sabahan dishes while keeping their essence intact. Though he had started promoting Sabah cuisine online during his time in KL, the lack of authentic ingredients made it difficult to cook the dishes he wanted to promote. 'In Sabah, the markets are full of what we need and when I came back, that's when things really began to take off,' he disclosed. In 2019, Chef Melvin launched his YouTube channel, 'Melvin Gatu', sharing recipes, cooking tips, and his journey. For Chef Melvin, MAGGI's products have become an integral part of his approach to accessible, yet authentic cooking. 'I always bring MAGGI Cukup Rasa when I go camping. It saves me from carrying salt or even onions. It enhances flavour without changing it. This is a staple in my kitchen,' he said. He especially appreciates MAGGI Sambal Tumis, which cuts down preparation time without compromising authenticity, and he is using this in the making of the Sambal Tumis Kantan. 'Normally, making sambal with bunga kantan would take up to eight steps. Now, it's just two, open the packet, add the bunga kantan, and cook. A 30-minute dish becomes a 10-minute wonde,' he said. Chef Melvin dreams of seeing Sabahan cuisine on the global map, restaurants in London, New York, or Tokyo serving linopot, nasi goreng losun, or ikan basung goreng. 'With partners like MAGGI and maybe even support from Sabah Tourism or national campaigns, we can go global. I can envision the linopot, a traditional dish of rice wrapped in leaf and served with local condiments, being promoted internationally. 'I have tried this before, given the 'linopot' a modern twist in terms of presentation, but everything else, the ingredients, the spirit, remained traditional. That is what matters,' he pointed out. He is also determined to document Sabahan recipes in a cookbook, properly researched, tested, and preserved for generations to come. 'Our ancestors' dishes deserve to be remembered, not lost,' he stressed. To young Sabahan chefs and entrepreneurs, Chef Melvin's advice is simple, 'Learn the basics. Know your techniques. But most importantly, go back to your roots. Appreciate your mother's recipes. Respect our ingredients. They are among the best in the world.' He also calls on local business owners to support local farmers, adding, 'Use our ingredients. Help our cuisine grow. When we do this together, we do not just serve food, we tell our story.
