MAGGI ® Jom Masak & Menang Bersama Contest heightens Gawai Festival with RM140,000 in prizes while giving back to the community
For decades, MAGGI® has been a beloved companion in the everyday lives of East Malaysians, bringing people closer through the joy of cooking and sharing meals, from bustling urban homes and communal households to festivities, turning simple dishes into meaningful moments around the table. In its warm celebration of Gawai this year, MAGGI® is honouring the distinctive culinary identity of Sarawakian cooks, who take pride in precious recipes handed down the generations, as they spread joy and love to families and communities with beloved flavourful home-style dishes prepared in gratitude for an abundant harvest.
The ‘Honouring the Cooks Behind the Festivities’ campaign is showcasing the special part played by home cooks as the quiet heroes of Gawai, creating memorable dishes with love while preserving Sarawak’s cultural heritage, to meaningfully connect people of all ages and backgrounds through food.
“The harvest celebrations allow us to get to know East Malaysian communities and share happiness. With MAGGI® being a staple in Sarawak since 1970s it is through food that we create lasting bonds that span generations, and with the festival, we see culture being preserved, traditions passed down the generations, and families coming together joyfully. The campaign is our way of honouring the food and cooks, but also reward our consumers while supporting the communities,” said Ms. Ivy Tan Link Cheh, Business Executive Officer of MAGGI®, Malaysia and Singapore.
This time MAGGI® is also collaborating with two inspiring East Malaysian chefs whose stories and recipes reflect the soul of the season and share a deep connection to their culinary roots. In Kuching, Chef Laura Sim Bara draws on her Iban heritage, bringing stories and flavours to life through dishes like Ikan Baung Soup Cook with Paku Pakis, a dish deeply rooted in the riverside communities of Sarawak, and Asam Siok, an authentic Bidayuh delicacy of chicken and rice infused with local herbs and spices, traditionally cooked in bamboo for a smoky, aromatic finish.
“Cooking during Gawai is meaningful for me. Every dish tells a story about my family, my people and our connection to the land. I’m honoured to collaborate with MAGGI® to share the richness of my culture and inspire the next generation to rediscover our traditional flavours,” shared Chef Laura Sim Bara, from Kuching, Sarawak.
Together with the talented chefs, MAGGI® has co-created festive recipes that blend authentic East Malaysian flavours with some of MAGGI® popular staples like MAGGI® CukupRasa™ and MAGGI® Sambal Tumis. Visitors to Pesta Gawai are in for a culinary treat, as the dishes coupled with East Malaysians’ favourites like MAGGI® Kari and MAGGI® Asam Laksa, adds both a comforting and familiar layer to traditional favourites. MAGGI® Kari holds a special place in the hearts of East Malaysians, known for its burst of flavours that complements local dishes.
With over 20 years of tradition, MAGGI® is bringing back its much-loved ‘Jom Masak & Menang Bersama’ contest, running from May 1 to June 30, 2025, inviting Sarawakian home cooks to win attractive prizes including a brand-new Isuzu D-Max, cooking appliances, and weekly e-wallet rewards. Shoppers can enter with every RM8 spent on MAGGI® products by submitting receipts via WhatsApp or physical forms. Each entry also contributes RM0.10 to PurpleLily Kuching, supporting programmes that uplift women and families across the state.
Sharing the strong spirit of gratitude and community with East Malaysians, MAGGI® sees the festival as a time to not only cherish traditions and cuisine that have stood the test of time but also as an opportunity to give back to those in need. Through its contribution to PurpleLily, MAGGI® aims to uplift the NGO’s initiatives that empower women by building confidence, enhancing skills, and creating lasting, positive change in their lives.
For more information about the contest, full terms and conditions, and festive recipe inspirations, visit http://www.maggi.com.my/.
