By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, July 28: Sarawak’s unique culinary heritage will take centre stage as Kuching welcomes around 60 delegates worldwide to the third edition of the 2026 UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) Annual Meeting from Aug 4 to 6, featuring the Tuak Buffet and ‘Plates With Purpose’ charity dinner.
The international gathering will bring together city representatives, UNESCO officials, chefs, academics, culinary practitioners, and industry players to strengthen collaboration, exchange best practices, and promote gastronomy as a driver of sustainable urban development.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said the meeting was a significant milestone for Kuching as Malaysia’s first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
“They are not coming here simply to attend another conference. They are coming to experience Kuching. They want to taste our food. They want to discover our culture. They want to understand why UNESCO recognised Kuching as Malaysia’s first Creative City of Gastronomy,” he said during a press conference at MBKS headquarters today.
Participating countries include China, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Italy, Greece, South Korea, the Philippines, Canada, Australia, India, Mexico, Sweden, Thailand, Ecuador, Iran, the United States, and Japan.
Wee said the official Day 1 programme is expected to attract about 400 participants, including UCCN delegates, Borneo Culinary World Cup (BCWC) participants, local corporations, academic institutions, and international observers.
The opening ceremony will be held on Aug 4 at the Sarawak Chamber, Riverside Majestic Hotel (Puteri Wing), and will be officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
A key highlight of the gathering is “Plates With Purpose – The UCCN Charity Dinner 2026”, an exclusive eight-course dining experience featuring local and international chefs.
The charity dinner, scheduled on Aug 5 at voco Kuching by IHG, will bring together local and international chefs to celebrate heritage, culture, sustainability, and creativity.
UCCN Secretariat Gerald Goh said tickets are priced at RM1,000 each, with all proceeds channelled to three beneficiaries, namely the Kuching Palliative Association, Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society, and Kuching Food Aid.
Another major attraction is the UCCN Gastronomy Pavilion at the Kuching Festival Fair from Aug 3 to 16 held at MBKS Jubilee Ground, where members of the public can watch international chefs prepare authentic dishes from UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy.
Wee said chefs from Chengdu and Quanzhou in China, Buraydah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia, Iloilo in the Philippines, Belo Horizonte in Brazil, Lucknow in India, and Nkongsamba in Cameroon will showcase their signature dishes and traditional cooking techniques.
Meanwhile, the Tuak Buffet will feature eight local producers, allowing visitors to sample Sarawak’s iconic traditional beverage from all booths for RM50, with each booth offering two 30ml glasses.
Wee said the initiative was not merely about tasting Tuak, but also about celebrating Sarawak’s indigenous heritage and supporting local producers.
The three-day UCCN meeting will also feature plenary sessions, policy dialogues, networking programmes and technical visits focusing on sustainable food systems, gastronomic tourism, cultural preservation, and innovation.
Delegates will visit several cultural and heritage attractions, including Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, Borneo Cultures Museum, Sarawak Cultural Village, India Street Pedestrian Mall, and Kek Lapis Warisan, while also taking part in a Sarawak breakfast hunt at Farley Food Court.
Wee said hosting the international meeting would further strengthen Kuching’s global profile while creating opportunities for local food entrepreneurs, tourism players, and creative industries. — DayakDaily
