From Sarawakian heritage to culinary traditions from China, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Brazil, Kuching’s Plates with Purpose charity dinner turned gastronomy into a celebration of culture, creativity and international friendship.
A feast of cultures and connections
A ballroom filled with purpose — that was the scene at voco by IHG Kuching, where Kuching South City Council (MBKS), alongside Persatuan Gastronomi Kuching, hosted a memorable evening in conjunction with the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) Cluster Annual Assembly 2026.
‘Plates with Purpose — The UCCN Charity Dinner’ brought together an exclusive eight-course menu prepared by renowned local and international chefs, with each course carrying its own story of culture, heritage and creativity.
As Kuching is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, the collaboration went beyond the dining experience, with the evening also serving a greater purpose. As a charity event, the dinner raised funds for the Kuching Palliative Association, Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society and Kuching Food Aid.
As the evening unfolded, stories of Sarawakian culture and international heritage came together across the eight courses served. From Sarawak to China, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and even Brazil, the dishes brought together culinary traditions from different parts of the world, merging familiar flavours and techniques into creations that told stories of heritage, place and collaboration.
Speaking during the dinner, MBKS Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng commended the 16 chefs for uniting and speaking one universal language — the language of food.
“Food has an amazing way of bringing people together. Long after we forget what was said during an evening, we often remember the meal we shared and the people we shared it with. That is why gastronomy is never just about recipes. It is about culture, friendship, memories and community,” he said.
As the city continues to strengthen its reputation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Wee noted that the efforts made up to that point perfectly reflected what the recognition represents: preserving traditions, encouraging creativity, fostering international friendships and, above all, using food to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
Sarawak meets the world
The eight-course menu served during Plates with Purpose was more than a showcase of culinary creativity. Each dish carried fragments of the places, people and traditions behind it — bringing together Sarawakian heritage with influences from China, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Brazil.
Rather than simply combining flavours, the chefs used food as a medium to share stories.
The evening began with ‘Sarawak Flavours: A Three-Course Appetiser’, where familiar Sarawakian ingredients were reinterpreted through different culinary techniques.
The journey continued with Tales of Two Cities, Cream of Pumpkin and Smoked Fish Soup — Linutik, where Sarawak and Iloilo met in a bowl of soup inspired by traditional preservation methods and indigenous flavours.
From the smoky salai fish and tempoyak beurre blanc, which celebrated Sarawak’s Indigenous culinary wisdom, to the Hainanese Herbal Stewed Lamb Shoulder, which blended family heritage with influences from Chengdu, each creation reflected the evening’s theme of preserving traditions while embracing innovation.
The later courses continued this exchange of cultures — from Bornean-inspired rendang and lemang to Whispers across the Rainforest, a dessert that connected Sarawak and Minas Gerais, Brazil, through their shared relationship with rainforest ecosystems and natural ingredients.
Together, the dishes reflected what it means to be a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy — not merely preserving food traditions, but allowing them to evolve, travel and create new connections.
A gathering of creative cities
Beyond the dining experience, Plates with Purpose formed part of a larger celebration of creativity, culture and collaboration through the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) Cluster Annual Assembly 2026, hosted in Kuching.
The gathering brought together representatives from creative cities around the world, providing a platform for members to exchange ideas, share best practices and explore how creativity can contribute to sustainable urban development.
Led by MBKS under the leadership of Wee, the assembly reflected Kuching’s growing role within the global creative cities network, where cities work together to preserve heritage, encourage innovation and build meaningful partnerships.
For Kuching, hosting the assembly marked another milestone in its journey as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Beyond celebrating food, the recognition highlights the city’s wider identity, shaped by its multicultural communities, Indigenous heritage and commitment to using creativity as a force for connection.
Through programmes held throughout the assembly, including the charity dinner, delegates experienced how gastronomy could serve as a bridge between cultures, with chefs representing different culinary traditions coming together to share stories through food.
More than an international gathering, the assembly showcased Kuching as a city where heritage and creativity meet, strengthening ties with other creative cities while sharing its own unique story with the world.A feast of cultures and connections
