Sarawak secures clean sweep of SuperChef contest non-fire category in India

KUCHING (Dec 19): Sarawak secured a clean sweep of the top three positions in the Non-Fire Cooking category for the prestigious Khadhya Khurak SuperChef Competition in India, placing Bornean flavours firmly in the international spotlight.

Kuching South mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng revealed the achievements of the Sarawakian chefs at one of India’s largest and most respected culinary competitions.

Chef Robbie Richard Balcarek of Little Fairy Café clinched the Gold Award, followed by chef Iana Akam of Fairy Tavern who took Silver, while chef Annie Wee of Annie Kolo Mee secured the Bronze Award.

Wee said the clean sweep reflected not only individual excellence but also the strength and depth of Sarawak’s culinary community.

“What made the achievement even more meaningful is the chefs’ decision to compete using exclusively Bornean ingredients.

“Through thoughtful reinterpretations of our indigenous produce, they presented refined dishes that captivated an international panel of judges from diverse culinary backgrounds,” he told a press conference here.

Robbie described the win as a collective achievement for Sarawak and the Bidayuh community, affirming that indigenous ingredients and local narratives can stand confidently alongside global cuisines.

Iana expressed pride in representing Sarawak and sharing the state’s culture and identity through food, while Annie highlighted that local inspirations, when handled with skill and respect, can resonate on the international stage.

Wee also congratulated to chef Julian Lai of Little Hainan Restaurant, who was conferred the King Chef Award in recognition of his lifelong contributions to the culinary industry.

Lai also served as a judge for the competition.

The Malaysia Bersatu Culinary Sarawak Association chairman said Sarawakian chefs are well-prepared to compete internationally, adding that the latest achievement further demonstrates the state’s culinary maturity.

He said the success of the Sarawakian chefs strengthens Kuching’s position as a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy, reinforcing the role of local flavours in bridging cultures and telling Sarawak’s stories to the world.

Khadhya Khurak SuperChef Competition lead Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy