KUCHING, Dec 19 2025: Chefs Robbie Richard Balcarek, Iana Akam and Annie Wee have made Sarawak proud with their culinary skills by winning the top three positions in the non-flame cooking category at the recent Khadhya Khurak SuperChef competition in India.
Robbie from Little Fairy Cafe won the Gold, Iana Akam from Fairy Tavern won the Silver and Annie from Annie Kolo Mee, the Bronze awards.
Julian Lai received the King Chef Award for his lifelong contribution to the culinary industry, besides describing his confidence in the readiness of Sarawak’s chefs at the global level as very encouraging.
Speaking at a press conference today, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Wee Hong Seng said the victory of Robbie, Iana and Annie at the competition is proof the superiority of Sarawakian cuisine as well as the strength of the state's culinary community at the global level.
He said the success reflected the discipline, creativity and high commitment of Sarawakian chefs,
saying that the achievements are not just the individuals’ victory, but also they reflect the strength and depth of Sarawak’s culinary community.
“It proves that the success is not only based on the greatness of the dishes produced, but also reflects discipline, creativity and a high commitment to culinary excellence,” Wee said.
According to him, the success is even more meaningful when the prestigious competition was attended by an international jury and the three chefs chose to fully use local Borneo ingredients to highlight the identity of Sarawak’s cuisine at the world level.
He stressed that the success not only strengthens Sarawak’s position as a UNESCO Creativity City of Gastronomy, but also opens up space for a new approach to food diplomacy or gastrodiplomacy to build bilateral relations, boost gastronomic tourism and expand international cooperation through food.
He explained that Sarawak will continue to empower local culinary talent by sending more chefs to the international level, including to Macau, Madinah and Saudi Arabia, in addition to planning two more global events next year for strengthening the state's position as a world gastronomic hub.
No comments:
Post a Comment