By Karen Bong
KUCHING, July 21: The midday heat did little to slow the frenetic pace of preparations at the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Community Hall grounds today as organisers, contractors, vendors and suppliers raced against time to put the finishing touches on the much-anticipated Kuching Food Festival (KFF) 2026.
When DayakDaily visited the venue, the sprawling festival grounds were already teeming with activity. Cars, lorries and vans moved in and out of the area, unloading everything from cooking equipment and fresh ingredients to signboards, tables and decorative items.
Contractors worked under the blazing sun, erecting structures, installing electrical fittings and ensuring the venue would be ready for opening day.
Across the grounds, stall operators busied themselves arranging displays, stocking supplies and conducting final checks on their cooking stations.
The sounds of hammering, drilling and animated conversations filled the air, creating a symphony of organised chaos that signalled the countdown to one of Kuching’s most eagerly awaited annual events.
Set to begin tomorrow (July 22) in conjunction with Sarawak Day, and run until Aug 16, this year’s festival will feature an impressive 323 stalls, making it one of the largest editions in recent years.
Together, they will offer visitors a vibrant showcase of culinary diversity, culture and heritage, reflecting the rich multicultural fabric of Sarawak and beyond.
From traditional local delicacies and cherished street food favourites to contemporary fusion creations and international cuisines, the festival promises something for every palate.
Visitors can expect a gastronomic journey that spans generations of family recipes, indigenous culinary traditions, Malaysian and Sarawakian favourites and flavours from around the world.
The festival grounds already offered a glimpse of the culinary feast to come. The festival grounds were already awash with colour as creatively crafted signages, each reflecting the personality and specialty of its stall, lined the rows in anticipation of the crowds expected from tomorrow onwards.
For many vendors, the preparations represented the culmination of months of planning and hard work. Some were returning participants eager to reconnect with loyal customers, while others were first-time exhibitors hoping to make their mark at one of the city’s premier food events.
Beyond the food, the festival remains a celebration of community and culture. It serves as a platform for entrepreneurs, family-run businesses and food artisans to share not only their culinary creations but also the stories, traditions and heritage behind them.
As workers continued their preparations and the steady stream of vehicles delivered the final supplies, a sense of anticipation hung over the venue. By this time tomorrow, the sounds of construction and setup will give way to the buzz of thousands of visitors exploring row upon row of food stalls.
With 323 stalls ready to showcase an extraordinary array of local, regional and international flavours, the Kuching Food Festival 2026 is poised once again to transform the MBKS Community Hall grounds into the city’s largest celebration of food, culture and community. — DayakDaily
