Pahang Young Chefs Shine Bright at State-Level MAGGI® Secondary School Cooking Competition (MSSCC) 2025

Read this in:
▪ Bahasa Malaysia (pdf, 195 KB)
▪ Chinese (pdf, 400 KB) 

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

Pekan, September 4, 2025 - From the heart of East Coast to the nation’s capital, young culinary stars from Pahang have made their mark at the 28th MAGGI® Secondary School Cooking Competition (MSSCC), bringing the unique flavours and traditions of East Coast part of Peninsular Malaysia to the national stage. The event was graced by Kebawah Duli Paduka Baginda Tengku Ampuan Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.

This year’s theme, ‘RAMUAN WARISAN, CITARASA NEGERI’, saw an impressive 866 students aged 13–17 from 16 states, reimagining beloved dishes with a creative twist. For the first time, the competition was expanded to include Form 4 and Form 5 students, further reinforcing MAGGI®’s commitment to providing equal opportunities to more youths to learn the fundamentals of food, with the aim of cultivating a healthy relationship with food while promoting healthy eating and cooking. Contestants from Pahang wowed judges with recipes inspired by indigenous ingredients, coastal 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 has empowered nearly 350,000 young lives, equipping them not only with essential cooking skills, but also life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and creativity. For students in Pahang — many travelled hundreds of kilometres to participate in the finale at Perkampungan Kraf Diraja Tunku Azizah, Pekan, and the journey has been one of resilience, cultural pride, and personal growth.

Beyond the Kitchen – Inspiring Everyday Cooks in Their Careers

Encik Zaifol Bahrizan Bin Mohammad Zan, Deputy District Education Officer (DDEO) Pekan, commended the role of the competition in connecting students across diverse backgrounds. He said “Our partnership with MAGGI® has given students from all corners of Malaysia — including communities in Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan — the opportunity to learn and grow. Students gain essential knowledge on food fundamentals, thereby building a strong foundation in food.”  

He further praised the collaboration: “MSSCC has been invaluable in offering students real-world insights into the world of food. Beyond cooking, this is about inspiring confidence, fostering innovation, and preserving our rich food heritage for generations to come. These experiences provide them with lessons that extend far beyond the classroom and prepare them for their future.” 

Ms. Ivy Tan Link Cheh, Business Executive Officer of MAGGI® Malaysia and Singapore said, “MSSCC truly shows how Malaysia’s culinary brilliance knows no boundaries. From East to the West Coast, young chefs are sharing their heritage, learning from one another, and inspiring a united passion for good food. We are proud to give young talents from every corner of Malaysia a platform where their creativity can shine and their passion for quality, balanced, and culturally rich food can be celebrated.”

“Through MSSCC, we strive to nurture the future everyday cooks with hands-on skill, confidence, and inspiration beyond just winning the competition. Together with dedicated mentors, we are encouraging the students to build a healthy relationship with food by exploring the possibilities and being innovative with food, while keeping it fun and balanced.” 

Pahang Serves Up National Pride

In Pahang, the judges crowned Maya Ainesya Binti Mahayuddin and Nur Ashafini Binti Shaiful Adli from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pandan to represent the state in the Finale. Their winning dish, Ikan Patin Masam Manis Walinong Sari paid homage to the local culture of Pahang, blending tradition with modern presentation. Other finalists also stood out for their creativity — from sustainable sourcing of local produce to fusing age-old family recipes with innovative cooking methods.

Maya Ainesya and Nur Ashafini shared, “MSSCC has been one exciting journey and we are grateful for the opportunity to meet and connect with so many talented peers from across the state through this event. With the support and guidance of our teacher, Noraen Binti Zaini, we were able to create Ikan Patin Masam Manis Walinong Sari. This dish reimagines our beloved local delicacy, presenting ikan patin as the signature fish of Pahang and Walinong Sari, the legendary princess of Pahang. We will always cherish this journey and carry the values we have learned with us, both in and outside the kitchen.” 

Also from the East Coast region, students from Terengganu showcased grit and determination with Muhammad Amsyar Haikal bin Abdullah and Muhammad Danial Asyraf bin Awang@Ahmad from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Belara emerging as state champions, earning the honour of representing the state at the national level competition. They said, “Joining MSSCC has widen our perspective and knowledge beyond classrooms especially the importance of balanced and healthy foods that directly impact our body. Through this competition, we have grown more confident and inspired to keep learning and sharing our passion for traditional foods. By utilising modern cooking techniques, we were able to challenge our creativity in new and exciting ways. So, we tried, we learned, and we succeeded.” 

The Grand Finale of MSSCC 2025 will be held in October, bringing together 16 winning teams from the state-level competitions to compete for the national title. 

For more information on MAGGI® MSSCC 2025, please visit: https://www.maggi.my/ms/memupuk-generasi-muda/.

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 dedicated to nourishing Malaysians and building their trust through our high-quality brands and products. We contribute to food security as well as to the health and well-being of the Rakyat through our trusted brands and a long-term commitment to Malaysia in the form of investments, employment, and various initiatives that uplift local communities. Today, we operate six factories, employing over 5,000 Malaysians, and we are the Halal Centre of Excellence for Nestlé globally. We are committed to providing halal, nutritious, and high-quality products with sustainability at the heart of our business practices - Made in Malaysia, by Malaysians, for all Malaysians.

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] 

Farah Aqilah or Deepa Mukundan
acorn communications
Tel: (+603) 7958 8348 
E-mail: [email protected]