KUCHING, Oct 21: Kuching City has been recognised for its narrative as a Creative City of Gastronomy at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2022.
The publication awarded in this category joins winners from 215 countries worldwide in the lineup for one of the most well-regarded recognitions in the food industry for cookbooks and other food culture publications.
This is being exhibited in Rome, Italy, at the World Food Forum, held from Oct 17 to 21, and certificates will be presented at a ceremony in 2023 in Paris, France.
The narrative report was written by Kuching UCCN strategic director Karen Shepherd and designed by Marian Chin of KINO magazine, prepared to accompany Kuching’s application to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
Featuring the story of Kuching’s food culture and drawing on its rich history, culture, and anthropology, the report was an integral part of Kuching’s designation in this international network and a bid video created by FilmCo Sdn Bhd and MStudios.
Karen said the report tells an amazing tale of Sarawak’s bountiful environment, local people, creativity, culture and simple enjoyment of food by communities throughout history.
“This is a story that should be known throughout the world.
“To be recognised internationally, first by UNESCO and then by this prestigious panel of judges, is hopefully one further step in getting the magic of Kuching food culture out into the global consciousness where it belongs,” she said in a statement today.
This award is not the first for a Sarawak food publication. The Sarawak Eurasian Association was honoured in 2011 for Best in the World for its Legacy Cookbook by the same panel.
The UCCN Kuching team hopes to follow in its footsteps and is currently preparing the ultimate guide to Kuching gastronomy which aims at a publication date in early 2023.
This will showcase recipes, ‘how to’ and ‘where to’ guides, and all the best photography, designs, and illustrations that the Kuching creative economy offers.
UCCN Kuching now aims to stimulate greater publication on Kuching food across all media and calls on all bloggers, writers, designers and videographers to continue doing what they do best in inspiring people around the planet to appreciate Kuching food.
To read the narrative report, visit www.kuchingcreativecity.com. — DayakDaily
