By Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, March 25: Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan says that Sarawak should have its own cooking programme akin to the globally recognised MasterChef TV series.
According to Snowdan, who is also the treasurer of Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (TEGAS), the State holds a lot of potential for such great endeavours, highlighting that Kuching was recognised as a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy in 2021.
He said such programmes should commence locally before expanding to include other states and eventually reaching the international level where foreigners could join as participants.
“We (Sarawak) need to have a cooking show like MasterChef with our own branding and we could have it take place as a signature event.
“The cooking show could be a part of the State’s legacy as we hope to gain international participation in addition to putting Sarawak on the world map,” Snowdan said this following the soft launch of the Sarawak Gastronomy (SAGO) incubator programme at The Hills this afternoon.
As of this year, the SAGO incubator programme will adopt a more targeted approach with its theme, ‘Building festival ready F&B ventures’.
Also present at the soft launch were Culinary Heritage and Art Society Sarawak (Chass) chairwoman Datin Dona Drury-Wee, CEO and founder of WAT Evelyn Teo, Supreme Group Management’s Nigel Wee, Kuching Skills College chief executive officer (CEO) Novert Sullang Douglas Sullang, TEGAS manager Afida Zaidi and SAGO Group director Arif Abdul Rahman.
For those interested to join the SAGO incubator programme and turn their culinary dreams into successful business endeavours, visit https://sagoinc.my/
Applications will be open until April 17, 2024. — DayakDaily
