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MAGGI® continues to empower the next generation of everyday cooks together with the Ministry of Education to shape Malaysia’s vibrant food scene through creativity, innovation and cooking expertise
Kota Kinabalu, August 20, 2025 - From the heart of Borneo to the nation’s capital, young culinary stars from Sabah and Sarawak have made their mark at the 28th MAGGI® Secondary School Cooking Competition (MSSCC), bringing the unique flavours and traditions of East Malaysia to the national stage.
East Malaysian contestants of MSSCC impressed the judges with recipes inspired by indigenous ingredients, coastal seafood traditions, and heirloom cooking methods with this year’s theme ‘RAMUAN WARISAN, CITARASA NEGERI’.
This year’s theme, ‘RAMUAN WARISAN, CITARASA NEGERI’, saw an impressive 866 students aged 13–17 compete nationwide, reimagining beloved dishes with a creative twist. East Malaysian contestants wowed judges with recipes inspired by indigenous ingredients, coastal seafood traditions, and heirloom cooking methods — proving that the region’s culinary heritage is a treasure trove for the future of Malaysia’s food scene.
As part of MAGGI®’s enduring partnership with the Ministry of Education (MOE) since 1997, MSSCC not only nurtures the habit of eating and cooking healthy but also equips students with life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and creativity. For East Malaysian students — many travelled hundreds of kilometres to participate in the finale at SMK Stella Marris, Sabah, and the journey has been one of resilience, cultural pride, and personal growth.
Beyond the Kitchen – Inspiring our Future Everyday Cooks
Ms. Ivy Tan Link Cheh, Business Executive Officer of MAGGI® Malaysia and Singapore, said, “East Malaysia’s culinary heritage is a national treasure — a vibrant tapestry of flavours, stories, and traditions found nowhere else in the world. We are honoured to champion these young talents, giving them a stage where their creativity and heritage shine through their passion for quality, nutritious, and culturally rich food.”
She added, “Through MSSCC, and with the unwavering guidance of our mentors, we aim to nurture a stronger relationship with food and at the same time, to equip them with the skills, confidence, and vision to dream beyond the competition — to grow into not only celebrated everyday cooks, but also innovators, food scientists, and entrepreneurs who will shape the future of Malaysia’s food industry.”
East Malaysia Serves Up National Pride
Two young talents impressed the judges, with Muhammad Asner bin Asnal and Muhammad Alfian bin Saadon from SM ST Mary, Sabah clinching one of the top honors. While the MSSCC journey is a gateway to life skills and a career in food, it all begins with the basics — nurturing the fundamentals of healthy cooking and eating, so the next generation can carry these habits wherever life takes them.
Muhammad Asner bin Asnal and Muhammad Alfian bin Saadon (center) from SM ST Mary, Sabah crowned as the champion for the State Level of the of the 28th MSSCC with their winning creation, Nasi Kuning Seri Keladi.
Muhammad Asner and Muhammad Alfian’s winning creation, Nasi Kuning Seri Keladi, was a true celebration of Sabah’s traditional food, taro, artfully blending heritage with contemporary flair. Muhammad Asner and Muhammad Alfian will proudly represent Sabah at the MSSCC National Finale this October. This year’s East Malaysia finalists wowed with their ingenuity — from championing sustainable, locally sourced produce to reimagining age-old family recipes with bold, innovative techniques.
Mohammad Aidil Zaqwan bin Mirza and Muhammad Airil Haikal bin Abdullah from SMK Bandar Sibu, Sarawak shared: “We wanted to show how our traditional recipes from Sarawak can be reimagined for the future while still keeping their soul. The MSSCC has been so exciting! After months of preparation, we finally had the chance to express our ideas through Nasi Ulam dan Ayam Percik which was created with the guidance of my teacher. We also explored how modern cooking techniques — and even simple MAGGI® cooking solutions — can make these dishes healthier, quicker, and easier to prepare, without losing their original flavour. We are grateful to meet so many other talented peers through this event; we’ve learned a lot from watching them, which has made this journey unforgettable.”
Mohammad Aidil Zaqwan bin Mirza and Muhammad Airil Haikal bin Abdullah (center) from SMK Bandar Sibu, Sarawak emerged as the Sarawak Grand Winner at the State Level of the 28th MSSCC with their unique Nasi Ulam dan Ayam Percik.
Muhammad Asner and Muhammad Alfian, who have long been intrigued by nutrition and food sustainability, showcased this passion through their creative use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients in their dishes and were inspired by their guidance teacher, Puan Nurul Adilah binti Ab Rahman. They shared: “The mentorship we received was eye-opening — we learned how balanced cooking and eating can directly impact our health, and how choosing sustainable ingredients helps protect our environment and also prevents food wastage. Before even thinking about a career in food, we now understand how important it is to build these fundamentals first. We also got to hear from people working in the food industry, which showed me the many different career paths we could explore and sparked new ideas for our own future.”
For more information on MAGGI® MSSCC 2025, visit:
https://www.maggi.my/ms/memupuk-generasi-muda/pertandingan-memasak-MAGGI/
About MAGGI®
MAGGI® is the iconic food brand in Malaysia. Its core mission is to create good-food moments that bring families closer together. Through its wide range of products and food solutions, MAGGI® helps Malaysians to prepare tasty and balanced homemade meals for themselves or their families every day. The brand is also committed to the ever-evolving needs of meal providers, providing innovative solutions from noodles to culinary products, which continue to delight and inspire Malaysians to cook the fresh food they love and believe in. To learn more, please visit www.maggi.my.
About Nestlé Malaysia: Nourishing Malaysians for Over a Century
Since 1912, Nestlé has been nourishing Malaysians and earning their trust through our quality brands and products. We take pride in our role as a responsible corporate citizen, striving to improve the communities in which we operate. Today, we operate six factories, employing over 5,000 Malaysians. All our products are Halal, making us the largest Halal manufacturer for Nestlé globally.
As the world's largest food and beverage manufacturer, with our headquarters based in Switzerland, Nestlé operates in over 180 countries. With a workforce of over 270,000 dedicated employees, we are driven by our purpose to unlock the power of food, enhancing the quality of life for everyone, both today and for future generations. Our commitment to nutrition, health, and wellness guides our performance, ensuring we deliver on our promise of GOOD FOOD, GOOD LIFE.
To discover more about our century-long journey of nourishing Malaysians, please visit our website at https://www.nestle.com.my/ask-nestle/we-are-nestle.
For more information, please contact:
Shaheen Zaffar
Nestlé (Malaysia) Berhad
Tel: (+603) 7965 6456
E-mail: [email protected]
Ooi See Bee
Sabah & Sarawak MAGGI® PR
E-mail: [email protected]
