By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 5: Food brings people together across borders, cultures and generations, said Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng as he welcomed international chefs, judges and delegates to the Borneo Culinary World Cup 2026 during a welcoming dinner held aboard the Royal Sarawak River Cruise.
Wee emphasised that the power of food lies in its ability to connect people who may otherwise never meet, transcending differences in language, nationality and background.
“Food has a way of doing something that few other things can. It brings people together who might otherwise never meet, across languages, across borders, across very different lives,” he said in his speech while officiating the dinner on Tuesday (Aug 4) night.
He said the gathering on the river cruise reflected the spirit of the culinary event, where chefs and judges from around the world come together to celebrate food, exchange knowledge and build friendships.
“Standing shoulder to shoulder over a stove, or sitting down to a shared meal, has a way of dissolving distance almost immediately. That is really what this cruise tonight is about, and it is what the days ahead will be about too,” he said.
Wee extended a warm welcome to the international delegates, chefs and judges, saying Kuching was honoured to host participants who had travelled from various parts of the world for the competition.
“On behalf of the city, I want you to feel at home from the moment you stepped off the plane,” he said, adding that while the coming days would involve intense competition in kitchens and judging rooms, the welcoming dinner was an opportunity for everyone to come together as one community.
Highlighting Sarawak’s rich culinary heritage, he said the State’s diverse traditions from Malay, Chinese, Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau and other communities had created a unique gastronomic identity shaped by generations of knowledge, ingredients and techniques.
He said Kuching’s position as a city recognised for its gastronomic creativity had been strengthened by its UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy recognition, making it an ideal destination for an international culinary gathering.
“When international chefs and judges come here and cook alongside our own culinary community, something genuinely valuable is exchanged in both directions,” he said.
Wee also expressed appreciation to the judges, many of whom had built decades-long careers and earned recognition within the global culinary community.
He said their decision to share their expertise and uphold judging standards at the Borneo Culinary World Cup was greatly valued by the city.
The gathering also witnessed the presentation of Judges Medallions as a small token of the city’s appreciation for their participation and ensuring the success of event.
The Borneo Culinary World Cup 2026 brings together chefs, culinary experts and judges from across the globe, showcasing international culinary skills while providing a platform to highlight Sarawak’s diverse food culture. — DayakDaily
