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By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, July 24: Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) Sarawak Deputy Minister Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu has emphasised the importance of prioritising participants of the Sarawak Gastronomy Incubator (Sago Incubator) to take part in food festivals in the future.
Rentap also placed emphasis on the importance of providing entrepreneurs with a strong platform to showcase their skills and talents in the food and beverage (F&B) industry.
“It is essential that participants have access to a platform that allows them to showcase their products to the community.
“This platform not only provides a diverse range of unique dishes, but it also allows entrepreneurs to generate income, and by participating in various organised programmes, they have the potential to achieve even greater success.
“Therefore, my ministry will advocate for Sago Incubator participants to be prioritised for selling their unique food and beverages at festivals such as the Kuching Festival Food Fair (KFF), What About Kuching (WAK), and others,” he said during his speech at the closing ceremony of the Sago Festival and Sago Incubator Programme 2023 at a mall here yesterday (July 23).
According to a press handout, the Sago Incubator Programme 2023, which aimed to strengthen Sarawak’s food entrepreneurship ecosystem, improve F&B entrepreneurs’ ability to grow their food businesses, and establish Sarawak as a global food destination, was a resounding success during the closing ceremony.
“The programme, jointly organised by The Hills Kuching, WAT Sarawak, Retrospective Discovery LLP, and Culinary Heritage and Arts Society Sarawak (CHASS), successfully nurtured 11 participants in their journey towards building sustainable and innovative food ventures.
“Throughout the incubator programme, these budding entrepreneurs were equipped with essential knowledge, mentorship, and resources to navigate the competitive F&B industry.
“They were guided by experienced industry experts, allowing them to refine their business models, scale their operations, and develop unique culinary offerings that capture the essence of Sarawak’s diverse food culture.”
The press release went on to explain that the Sago Festival, a two-day event held on July 22 and 23, 2023, marked the conclusion of the Sago Incubator Programme 2023 and featured a variety of activities that engaged the public and guests in a culinary extravaganza.
“One of the event’s highlights was a special appearance by Chef Febs Asyagaf, a MasterChef Indonesia Season 8 finalist. Chef Febs Asyagaf, alongside our Sarawakian Chef Achang Libat, mesmerised the audience with their engaging talk and captivating cooking demonstrations, showcasing the vast potential of our native ingredients and the delightful food innovations they can create.
“With over 80 vendors participating, the Sago Festival offered many options for attendees to explore and indulge in Sarawak’s delightful food offerings. The event also featured enlightening food talks, tuak exhibitions, food workshops for adults and kids, live cooking demonstrations, and live music performances.”
Furthermore, it highlighted that the Sago Incubator Programme 2023 demonstrated its commitment to creating a thriving food ecosystem, empowering local talent, and elevating Sarawak as a prominent food destination on the global stage.
“The success stories of the participating startups serve as a testament to the programme’s efficacy in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation.
“As the closing ceremony marked the culmination of this year’s programme, the organisers expressed their gratitude to all the stakeholders, partners, mentors, and participants who contributed to its triumph.
“They also announced their intention to continue supporting the growth of Sarawak’s food entrepreneurship community and nurturing the dreams of aspiring foodpreneurs in the years to come.” — DayakDaily
