VALLADOLID, Spain: Sarawak is once again stepping onto the world culinary stage as it sends a delegation to represent Malaysia at the World Tapas Championship & Exhibition 2025.
Taking place at the Cúpula del Milenio (Millennium Dome) from November 10 to 12, the event will bring together some of the world’s most innovative chefs, food industry leaders, and international media.
The Sarawak delegation’s participation is organised by Ethos Connect International Consulting Sdn Bhd, with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) in collaboration with E-Spain.
Chief Executive Officer of Ethos Connect International Consulting, Sim Ling Ling, said Sarawak’s participation is part of an ongoing partnership with Valladolid, formalised through an MoU to promote tourism, gastronomy, education, and film between the two regions.
“In 2024, Sarawak organised the first National Level Tapas Competition in Malaysia, which marked the nation’s debut at the World Tapas Championship in Valladolid.
“The winner, Chef Samuel Goh, made history by presenting ‘rollo de umai’, inspired by Sarawak’s traditional raw fish dish ‘umai’, on a global platform,” she said.
Following this success, Sim said Ethos Connect was given the opportunity by the Valladolid City Council to host the Asia Regional Tapas Championship in Kuching this year.
Winners from the competition earned the right to represent their respective countries and Asia at the prestigious World Tapas Championship in Valladolid.
“This marks Sarawak’s second consecutive participation in the championship, reinforcing our state’s growing presence in the international culinary scene,” she said.
Sim revealed that plans are already underway for Sarawak to play a greater role in the coming year.
“We hope that next year, in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026, Sarawak can be featured as a Guest Country at the World Tapas Championship, with a dedicated booth to promote our tourism, food culture, and indigenous ingredients,” she said.
Besides Sim, the Sarawak delegation comprises of Ethos Connect Director, Wilson Sim; Chef Alex Ting of Kyujin; President of Kuching Chefs Association, Chef Abang Abdul Rahman; Founder of Flavours Group Sdn Bhd, Billy Lee; as well as Founder and Editor-at-Large of Borneo Insider’s Guide (BIG) magazine and website, Wan Zainal Abidin.
