Bintulu chef wins Sarawak 2024 World Tapas Competition, to represent Malaysia in Spain competition

KUCHING (Aug 14): Bintulu-born chef Samuel Goh Kim Hau has emerged as the champion for the Sarawak 2024 World Tapas Competition after competing against 26 other chefs.

The 31-year-old was also pleasantly surprised by his victory, especially considering he is relatively new to participating in such competitions.

He shared that the competition was highly competitive and highlighted the importance of sustainable food practices, which were a key focus of the event.

He expressed his joy in winning over the judges with his dish which is a rendition of the Ceviche Roll that featured sweet potato, barramundi, and a traditional Peruvian sauce known as “tiger’s milk.”

“For those unfamiliar, ‘tiger’s milk’ or ‘Leche de Tigre’ is a classic Peruvian sauce that serves as the base for Ceviche, one of the country’s most famous dishes.

“I decided to enter the competition after encouragement from my head chef and because I had never participated in something like this before.

“It gave me the opportunity to showcase my skills, drawing from my four years of experience in the culinary industry,” Goh said after being named the winner at the Waterfront Hotel today.

As the Sarawak champion, Goh will represent Malaysia at the 8th World Tapas Competition in Valladolid in Spain this coming November 13.

Goh’s award was presented to him by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, Datuk Sebastian Ting.

The Sarawak leg of the World Tapas Competition 2024 was also held in conjunction with the International Sustainable Food Conference 2024.

Although relatively new in participating in competitions, Goh actually has four years of experience in working in the food and beverage industry, including stints working in Singapore.

He is a chef at Kyujin, a contemporary fine dining restaurant located in Saradise here.