By ROSLI MANSOR AHMAD RAZALI
IPOH – Malaysia continues to make strides in the global culinary scene as the prestigious Malaysian Culinary World Cup (MCWC) 2025 kicks off today, drawing more than 800 participants from 16 countries.
The event’s Head Judge, Chef Montaser Masoud of Egypt, praised the competition not merely as a battleground of culinary skills, but as an ideal platform to nurture the next generation of professional chefs.
“This competition is not just about winning or losing. It’s a long-term investment in personal growth, knowledge, and skill development,” he told Ipoh Echo/Peraktastic after a judging session at Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah here today.
A prominent figure in the Middle Eastern culinary scene, Chef Montaser also lauded the organisers’ dedication to holding the event consistently each year, establishing Malaysia as a key destination on the global culinary calendar.
“This year alone, we have 55 participants from the Middle East. Malaysian cuisine continues to attract food lovers in the Arab world, particularly in Saudi Arabia, for its distinctive taste and quality,” he said.
He added that MCWC has proven to be an effective platform for building professional networks among international chefs, as well as for exchanging culinary knowledge and experience.
“I’ve been involved in MCWC’s planning for the past five years. I had intended to attend in 2022 and 2023, but work commitments and the pandemic got in the way. I’m thankful I finally made it this year,” he said.
Commenting on the first day of the competition, he expressed admiration for the culinary displays by participants from Malaysia and China, particularly the innovative dishes and outstanding desserts presented.
As Head Judge, Chef Montaser leads a panel of 115 professional judges from 25 countries, including 60 local judges certified at the international level.
A total of 65 categories will be contested throughout the three-day event, which runs until June 29, 2025. The opening ceremony was officiated by Perak Menteri Besar, Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad.
“Winning is not the main focus. Each participant is evaluated fairly and transparently, with scores carefully assessed by the judging panel,” said Chef Montaser.
MCWC 2025 stands as a testament to Malaysia’s strong commitment to elevating its culinary industry onto the world stage, while also contributing significantly to the tourism and economic sectors.
