By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 11: Sarawak is set to make a bold global statement through Serumpun Sarawak, a transformative cultural gastronomy initiative that will spotlight the State’s indigenous food heritage, creative spirit and ancestral knowledge in Osaka, Japan this August and in Mulu, Sarawak this October.
Launched at Le Meridien Hotel in Petaling Jaya yesterday (July 10), the initiative is spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP) and the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), with internationally acclaimed Chef James Won and the creative team at Atlas Collective at the helm.
MTCP Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah in his keynote speech said Serumpun Sarawak is a direct response to Kuching’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, which he described not merely as a feather in Sarawak’s cap but a call to action.
He emphasised that the recognition was not the end goal, but an invitation for Sarawak to innovate, elevate its cultural expression and redefine how the world views its culinary identity.
“Serumpun Sarawak is where ancestral knowledge meets cutting-edge creativity, where native ingredients become narrative, and stories from the longhouse are transformed into unforgettable multisensory experiences,” he said.
The journey will make its first international stop at Seaside Studio Caso in Osaka from August 5 to 8, 2025, in conjunction with World Expo 2025.
“There, amidst innovation from across the planet, the world will taste—not just a cuisine, but Sarawak’s identity. Its design. Its way of life,” he added.
In October, Serumpun Sarawak returns to its roots with a site-specific community experience in Mulu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This second activation will integrate indigenous food traditions, environmental appreciation and cultural expression—all within one of Sarawak’s most awe-inspiring natural landscapes.
Abdul Karim also praised the power of collaboration at the core of Serumpun Sarawak, which unites farmers, chefs, artisans, designers, storytellers and local entrepreneurs.
Among the key collaborators are Earthlings Coffee Workshop, Tanoti Crafts, The Tuyang Initiative and the Culinary Heritage & Arts Society Sarawak (CHASS), whose efforts highlight the State’s commitment to sustainability, innovation and heritage preservation.
Guests at the press launch were treated to a live ethnic cooking showcase, a curated coffee experience by Earthlings, and an exclusive screening of The Serumpun Story, a short film capturing the essence of the journey. – DayakDaily
