20 Sarawakian chefs to vie for spot at World Tapas Championship in Spain

Dr Sim (left) visits the one of the exhibition booths, showcasing China's braised lion-headed goose. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad
KUCHING (June 18): Twenty Sarawakian chefs are set to compete at the national-level Tapas Competition today at KTS Garden for a coveted spot to represent Malaysia at the prestigious World Tapas Championship in Spain this November.
The competition, part of the World National and Asia Tapas Competitions, runs from June 17 to 19 and is being hosted in Kuching for the second consecutive year.
According to organising chairwoman and Sarawak International Technical and Vocational Education Association (SITVEA) president Sim Ling Ling, the national winner will earn an all-expenses-paid trip to Valladolid, Spain, to compete on the global stage.
Sim speaks to reporters after the opening ceremony. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad
On June 19, 16 chefs from 13 Asian countries will face off in the Asia-level competition, with the top three joining Malaysia's representative at the World Tapas Championship.
Sim highlighted the inclusive nature of the competition, noting that both young aspiring chefs and veterans with decades of experience are taking part.
'There's no age barrier in this industry. What matters is your story, your creativity, and how you bring your culture to the plate.
'Like last year's winner, who created 'Rolo de Umai' ― a Sarawakian dish that made it to the world stage and was judged by Michelin-star chefs in France and the United States,' she told reporters after the opening ceremony.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian and Minister of Tourism, Events, and City Branding Of Valladolid City Council, Spain, Blanca Jimenez Cuadrillero were also present at the opening ceremony.
Sim also confirmed that Sarawak will remain the official host of the Asia qualifier in the coming years, with plans to rotate the venue across cities such as Miri to encourage broader participation.
'We also hope to establish a closer partnership with Valladolid, Spain, where the World Tapas Championship is held annually.
'It's a Unesco Creative City with a rich cultural and culinary background, similar to ours in many ways,' she added.
The three-day event features food and beverage exhibitions, workshops on sustainability ― including carbon-neutral food production and eco-friendly packaging ― as well as talks by international speakers from China, Indonesia, and Malaysia on halal compliance, food safety, and recycling.
'The idea is to promote not only culinary creativity but also environmental awareness.
'We want participants and visitors to understand how the food industry can innovate while staying sustainable,' Sim said.
Exhibitors include international names such as Farina Winery from Spain and braised lion-headed goose with over 100 years of history from China, with representatives flown in to share the stories behind their products.
'There's a story behind every dish and every ingredient, and by bringing in the people behind the products, we give a platform for deeper appreciation and cultural exchange,' she added.
Members of the public can also take part in the event through RM60 one-day passes or RM150 three-day passes, which include access to food sampling, workshops, live competitions, and networking with chefs. chefs Dr Sim Kui Hian lead Sim Ling Ling World Tapas Championship

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Barnama

23 minutes ago

• Barnama

ROUND 2025 Showcases Unity Through Cultural Exchange

GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN-Korea Music Festival (ROUND) 2025 was officially launched here this evening by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, in a vibrant ceremony celebrating unity through music and cultural exchange. The event brought together diplomats, cultural leaders, artists and guests from ASEAN member states and the Republic of Korea, marking a significant milestone in regional cooperation. Khairul Firdaus highlighted the festival's theme, 'Come Around, Here to Shine', as a reflection of Malaysia's commitment to fostering a new model of cultural diplomacy under its ASEAN Chairmanship this year. 'Through the ASEAN-Korea Music Festival, we reaffirm the importance of cultural exchange as a conduit for social cohesion, deepening our mutual understanding and strengthening the bonds between the people of ASEAN and the Republic of Korea,' he said in a statement today. He added that Malaysia continues to prioritise creative and cultural cooperation as a vital tool for people-to-people connectivity and regional development, in line with the spirit of Malaysia MADANI – an inclusive framework promoting sustainability, compassion and mutual respect. The two-day festival, jointly organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) and the Korea Broadcasting System (KBS), features performances by acclaimed artists from both ASEAN and Korea. Meanwhile, Republic of Korea Ambassador to Malaysia Yeo Seung-bae, said the festival comes at an opportune time as Korea hosts APEC and Malaysia chairs ASEAN in 2025. 'Korea's hosting of APEC and Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship this year offer a timely and valuable opportunity to elevate our cooperation to the next level. 'Building on this shared vision at the leadership level, our two countries are set to pursue a broad range of collaborative initiatives with cultural exchange taking centre stage,' he said.

Borneo Post

18 hours ago

• Borneo Post

Embrace 3.0 returns to Kuching, celebrating community, compassion for animals

Yap (third left) joins (from right) Sim, Chia and Yeo in promoting the 'Embrace Programme 3.0', to take place at Tropics City in Kuching next month. KUCHING (June 20): The third edition of the 'Embrace Programme', run by the Padawan Chapter of Junior Chamber International (JCI), will highlight youths, community, and animal lovers. Taking place at Tropics City here this July 4 to 6, the programme is a collaborative effort with the Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) and B.E.E Hive Events. According to the deputy organising head Martiana Chia, with a continued mission of building a more compassionate and empowered community, the programme will feature a free rabies vaccination 'drive-thru', pet adoption booths, pet fashion show, baby goat mini-farm, live performances, and eco-conscious workshops such as soap-making and natural fabric dyeing. 'We are honoured to partner with SSPCA and The Hive Event by Bee Gastronomy for Embrace Programme 3.0. Over the past two editions, we've witnessed how this programme has opened doors for youth development and community impact. 'We are calling for more vendors to join us in creating an engaging experience for the public,' she said in a press conference held at the Kota Sentosa Service Centre here recently. Among those present were Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap, JCI Padawan president Alaric Sim, and The Hive Event by Bee Gastronomy representative Joanne Yeo. Sim meanwhile highlighted the programme as being aligned with JCI's core values and also Sarawak's development goals. 'Building the community is what JCI is about. We cultivate youth leadership by giving young people the opportunities to channel their creativity and energy into impactful causes. 'Embrace supports Sarawak's goals of prosperity, inclusivity and sustainability by creating income opportunities for vendors, welcoming every member of the family including pets, and hosting eco-friendly workshops.' As for Yap, he encouraged the public to visit the event, support local talents, and be inspired by the creativity and energy of the youths. 'The Embrace programme is a shining example of what happens when we invest in our young people and give them the platform that they deserve. 'Let us continue to support such positive initiatives for the betterment of our community and the future of Sarawak,' he said. For more information, follow @ @jcipadawan, and @sspca on major social media platforms.

Sinar Daily

a day ago

• Sinar Daily

A night of Russian magic: Cultural concert in KL brings nations together through music

It felt like stepping into another world. For one night, the rhythms, colours, and soul of Russia filled the halls of Sunway University, turning an ordinary evening into something magical. This event, titled The Russian Cultural Ensemble Concert was a cultural feast blending music, dance, and art into a vibrant celebration that brought strangers together, all moving to the same beat. The concert featured nine exceptional performers flown in directly from Russia, treating the audience to 16 stunning performances. From traditional folk songs to violin solos that tugged at heartstrings, every act was a celebration of Russian artistry. The concert featured nine exceptional performers flown in directly from Russia, treating the audience to 16 stunning performances. And then came the moment that melted every Malaysian heart in the room, a surprise performance of the beloved 'Rasa Sayang'. The crowd cheered as the Russian performers flawlessly sang the familiar tune, turning the event into a celebration of unity through music. Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) Undersecretary Christina Yeo lauded the event urging more programmes like this should be done frequently. "Programmes like this should be done more by private sector together collaborating with the government," she said to Sinar Daily. Yeo highlighted how initiatives like these foster people-to-people connections and cultural diplomacy. 'This cultural performance introduced by the Russian Embassy is a beautiful example of sharing talent and culture with Malaysians. Surprise performance of the beloved 'Rasa Sayang' by Russian performance. "It's an opportunity for us to learn and appreciate each other's heritage. Perhaps next year, Malaysia could reciprocate by sending our own musicians and artists to perform in Russia," she added. Yeo also stressed the role of music and arts in uniting people of diverse backgrounds, especially students. 'I was told that some of the volunteers for this event weren't from music or arts disciplines, they were from other fields. It shows that music is universal and can unite everyone, regardless of their background or nationality," she said. Meanwhile, Andrey Potemkin, Director of the Russian Centre for Science and Culture at the Russian Embassy stressed the importance of showcasing Russian culture to Malaysians, given the geographical distance and lack of direct flights between the two nations. 'Russia and Malaysia are far apart geographically, but through events like this we can bring our cultures closer. We have many famous composers and performers and it would be a great opportunity for Malaysians to know about Russian music, literature and language," he said. Potemkin also highlighted past collaborations, such as the Islamic Film Festival organised in Shah Alam and Johor, where Russian cinema producers shared stories of love, family and societal issues common to both cultures. From traditional folk songs to violin solos that tugged at heartstrings, every act was a celebration of Russian artistry. 'Russia is home to 20 million Muslims and our Islamic culture has much in common with Malaysia's. It's a connection we want to continue exploring," he said. Looking ahead to Visit Malaysia Year 2026, Potemkin expressed high hopes for deeper cultural relationship between Russia and Malaysia 'Malaysia is becoming very popular among Russians. I hope more Russian groups, artists and performers will visit not just Kuala Lumpur but other cities as well. "Malaysians have shown a genuine appreciation for Russian culture and we aim to keep this connection alive through music, cinema and other art forms," he said.