04-08-2025
Housewife drives home new pickup truck after winning MAGGI's ‘Jom Masak & Menang Bersama' finale
Norihan poses in the driver's seat of her brand new Isuzu D-Max, flanked by Tan (left) and Nestlé Products Sdn Bhd head of Sales Operations Sarawak Kenneth Lai (right).
KUCHING (Aug 4): Norihan Jamil emerged champion at the grand finale of MAGGI's 'Jom Masak & Menang Bersama' campaign, winning a brand new Isuzu D-Max.
The housewife from Kuching bested six other finalists in a thrilling culinary showdown held at VivaCity Megamall here, which was graced by Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah and MAGGI Malaysia and Singapore business executive officer Ivy Tan Link Cheh.
The lively grand finale saw Norihan and the finalists going head-to-head to demonstrate their culinary skills in a cooking competition under the tagline 'Warisan Citarasa Sarawak'.
Each contestant was challenged to create a dish using a mystery box featuring local ingredients such as Ikan Salei Lumek and Sayur Kecei—paying tribute to the flavours and traditions that define Sarawak's rich food legacy.
Based on these dishes, the panel of judges then selected the top three contestants, who advanced to the second round for a sensorial taste test challenge, where they had to identify five unknown ingredients.
The finalist who named all five ingredients correctly was crowned the grand prize winner.
In addition to the champion, the first runner-up received branded cooking appliances worth RM3,000, while the remaining five finalists received RM1,500 worth of branded cooking appliances each.
The competition, which formed the centerpiece of MAGGI's Gawai-themed campaign 'Honouring the Cooks Behind the Festivities', marked a joyous close to the campaign's two-month journey across Sarawak.
Each year MAGGI celebrates Sarawak's culinary heritage during Gawai as an immersive experience centred around the deep love for food and the meaningful moments shared as a community.
A beloved companion in Sarawakian households and deeply embedded in the local culture and heritage, MAGGI not only connects people and strengthen bonds through food, it also empowers communities by supporting local causes and non-governmental organisations (NGO).
As part of the 'Jom Masak & Menang Bersama MAGGI' contest, every purchase of MAGGI products between May 1 to June 30 this year saw MAGGI donating RM0.10, with the total of RM15,000 channelled towards PurpleLily Social Association Kuching—a Sarawak-based NGO that uplifts women and families.
Fatimah commended MAGGI for their initiative in making the Gawai Dayak celebrations extra special every year.
'Going beyond this, MAGGI's support for the less privileged and its efforts to empower women through initiatives like 'Wanita Cukup Berani' has remained a constant part of the betterment of communities in Sarawak.
'We are immensely fortunate for this and look forward to a longstanding partnership,' she said.
She also thanked MAGGI for supporting PurpleLily this year.
'MAGGI made the right choice in choosing PurpleLily, an NGO which focuses on empowering women. Any NGO that empowers women is very important to us,' she said.
Tan, meanwhile, expressed MAGGI's gratitude for the support from Sarawakians and are honoured to be part of their lives and celebration each year.
'Through worthy partnerships and heartfelt contributions during Gawai, MAGGI can lend a helping hand to underserved communities, so they move forward in life.
'Our strong heritage and presence in Sarawak continue to enrich our annual campaign, enabling us to strengthen respect for local traditions and local cuisine through the stories of everyday cooks and their powerful role in preserving culture and connecting generations, while also unifying people,' she said.
Taking it up a notch this year, MAGGI paid tribute to a true Malaysian favourite, MAGGI Kari-Lah, a flavour that hits every sense.
MAGGI Kari is a beloved cultural icon known for its consistent, bold and deeply satisfying 12-spice broth, with its signature aroma and soul-warming taste having long united Malaysians across generations, states, and occasions.
Bringing to life the spirit of taste and togetherness, the MAGGI Kari-Lah Roadshow marked a milestone with its first-ever nationwide event in East Malaysia.
This travelling celebration brought Sarawakians together to rediscover the warmth and joy this iconic dish represents.
Visitors of all ages had the opportunity to participate in a multisensory experience featuring the MAGGI Kari-Lah journey, with five interactive zones inspired by taste, aroma, texture, sound and sight.
In addition, there were cooking showcases of Umai Udang MAGGI Kari and MAGGI Kari Terung Asam by MAGGI's resident chefs, Chef Sharifah Hamidah Syed Mohsin and Chef Muhammad Hakimi Badrul Hisham, featuring local ingredients seasoned with popular MAGGI products as well as vibrant performances, interactive games and fun-filled activities for the public to fully immerse themselves in the warm spirit of Gawai. MAGGI's 'Jom Masak & Menang Bersama'
