By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 10: Sarawak’s rich culinary heritage has earned global recognition after UCSI University’s “Unearth Sarawak Cuisine: Taste of Sarawak” was named Best Recipe Book in the World in the Best Field Work Research category at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2025 in Portugal last month.
The international award, regarded as one of the highest honours in culinary publishing, spotlights Sarawak’s unique flavours, food traditions and cultural identity on the world stage, solidifying its growing presence in the global gastronomic scene.
Led by Associate Professor Christopher Wan, the book is a result of in-depth research and collaboration between academic teams from UCSI University Kuching Campus and Springhill Campus.
It was co-authored by Assistant Professor Dr Leong Quee Ling, Ivy Irvine Mikal, Mukvinder Kaur Sandhu, Assistant Professor Joseph Martin Pudun and Muhammad Fikri Umadi.
“This book reflects the identity of Sarawak through food. It represents our culture, our stories and our history. We are proud to share this with the world,” said Wan in a statement recently.
He thanked the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP) for its support, adding that the win is aligned with Kuching’s status as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
Officially announced on June 20 in Portugal, the award marks a milestone not only for UCSI University but also for Sarawak and Malaysia’s standing in global culinary circles.
More than just a recipe collection, Unearth Sarawak Cuisine documents the philosophies, preparation techniques, and oral narratives of Sarawak’s many communities. It serves as both a preservation of tradition and an academic showcase of the State’s multicultural food legacy.
Wan expressed hope that the recognition would inspire younger Malaysians to explore their roots through food.
“Learn the traditional recipes, appreciate the stories behind each dish and celebrate the food culture that defines our identity.
“Preserving our culinary heritage is essential in safeguarding the legacy of who we are as a people,” he said.
UCSI’s success at the Gourmand Awards reaffirms the importance of cultural preservation through academic excellence and opens new pathways for promoting Sarawak’s food story to the world. — DayakDaily
