Watching reality cooking competition shows on television is definitely exciting. Professional chefs competing against each other, a panel of judges waiting to savage them, and then someone gets eliminated. But what if you had the chance to watch them in person? Young chef competitions are springing up all over these days, making it difficult to keep track of them all, let alone figure out which ones are truly relevant. There is a plethora of cooking competitions taking place all over the world, and Malaysia is hosting one right now.
The Malaysian Food and Beverage Executives Association (MFBEA), in collaboration with Informa Markets, Professional Culinaire Association of Malaysia (PCA), and Food & Hotel Malaysia 2022 (FHM 2022), are staging the most prestigious culinary competition in Southeast Asia. Culinaire Malaysia – which was shelved for two years owing to the Covid-19 epidemic, which has wreaked havoc on the tourism and hospitality industries in Malaysia – is back. This year’s event is held at Hall 4, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, from March 29 to April 1, 2022.
This world-renowned event was first held in Kuala Lumpur in 1993, and is now endorsed by the World Association of Cooks Societies (WACS) and the International Food and Beverage Association (IFBA). In 2019, the competition drew 1,149 competitors from eight nations, including Taiwan, China, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia; with 26 trophies and 1,006 medals awarded to the best of the best.
This year, the competition is expected to attract more than 700 participants and more than 40 judges from all over Malaysia. They’ll compete in 22 classes, with all eyes on the Malaysia Tiger Cup, a series of challenges focused on using local produce and sustainable ingredients in cooking and food preparation.
Lipstiq had a front seat to Culinaire Malaysia’s Malaysia Tiger Cup, recently, and we can attest that the competition was indeed INTENSE. The Malaysia Tiger Cup features four teams, each of which is required to create an appetizer, main course and dessert in a given time. It was remarkable to see how the teams of chefs worked together in creating a dish, and, at the same time, keeping their stations clean. What caught my attention the most was how they gave their all towards making a dish.
Dato’ N. Subramaniam, President of the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), stated that it has always been their hope to encourage and upgrade Malaysia’s culinary standards, while also providing an opportunity for Malaysia’s chefs to showcase their global flavour, abilities and innovations; and that this is even more important now as they work to rebuild the industry following Covid-19.
Apart from cooking, there was also the beverage competition – and this was super fun to watch. With various kinds of ingredients and techniques, these amazing mixologists/baristas come up with creative and beautiful drinks that would make your throat dry.
Culinaire Malaysia 2022 is the 15th edition, according to Ms. Shirley Lai, who is also the Honorary Treasurer General of the Malaysian Association of Hotels, and comprises 22 classes, including Culinary Art Displays, Patisserie, Artistic, Hot Cooking, Food & Beverage Skills, and Team Challenge. She said the competition is a celebration of the next generation of great young chefs.
Alan Pryor, General Manager of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, expressed his delight to be partnering with the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), Informa Markets, the Professional Culinaire Association of Malaysia (PCA), and the Malaysian Food and Beverage Executives Association (MFBEA) for the ninth consecutive year in Culinaire Malaysia 2022.
This competition is a job well done. Not only does it encourage existing chefs to prove themselves, but it’s a great way to make the food and beverage industry grow, especially after the pandemic. And let’s hope for more events to come.
Culinaire Malaysia 2022 – March 29 to April 1
Hall 4, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur
Ticket Price: RM10
For more information, visit Culinaire Malaysia
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