By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 2: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will officiate the launch of a Teochew cookbook documenting the community’s traditional dishes and culinary heritage during the 2026 Unesco Creative Cities Network (UCCN) Annual Meeting – Cities of Gastronomy this Tuesday (Aug 4).
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said the cookbook, prepared by the Teochew Association, aims to record the recipes, stories and cultural significance behind Teochew cuisine in Sarawak.
“The book is done by the Teochew Association. It is a cookbook to record all the dishes and all that.
“It will be launched during our UCCN Annual General Assembly at Riverside Majestic Hotel,” he told reporters after the handover of Midea electrical appliances for the UCCN Gastronomy Pavilion 2026 today.
Wee said the publication would contribute towards preserving Sarawak’s food heritage, as gastronomy is not merely about food but also the history, traditions and identity carried through generations.
He added that MBKS had already published its own gastronomy book, making the Teochew cookbook the second publication documenting Sarawak’s culinary heritage.
“Of course, we have our own book. We also already have our gastronomy book. This is the second book. So we hope that, you know, it continues and we have more books,” he said.
Wee said such documentation could later be expanded into digital content, including video recordings that could serve as educational and promotional materials.
“After the establishment of these books, then you can actually use that as a guideline to have video recorded. Then it can be for TV Sarawak,” he added.
The Teochew cookbook launch will take place in conjunction with the UCCN Annual General Assembly, which gathers representatives from UNESCO Creative Cities around the world.
According to a report by Utusan Sarawak, the Teochew Association’s efforts to preserve its heritage are centred on three areas, namely customary practices, food heritage and performing arts.
Head of the Teochew Cultural Department Gerald Goh said the association is compiling a cookbook documenting Teochew recipes adapted to local ingredients, with guidance from chefs in China to retain traditional cooking techniques and flavours. — DayakDaily
