Sarawak Laksa bridges cultures, tourism, trade at STB networking sessions in Johor, KL, Langkawi

Robbie preparing Sarawak Laksa at Aloft Hotel, Langkawi, in conjunction with STB's B2B networking sessions recently.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Jan 21:The rich aroma of Sarawak laksa became a cultural bridge and conversation starter as Sarawak Tourism Board’s (STB) Business-to-Business (B2B) networking sessions in Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi brought together tourism and trade players from across West Malaysia, reinforcing partnerships and positioning Sarawak as a vibrant gateway to Borneo.

Rising Sarawak chef Robbie Richard Balcarek, owner and chef of Little Fairy Cafe, was invited to take part in the B2B Business Networking Sessions organised by STB on Jan 26, 27 and 29.

According to a media release today, the sessions were held under the “Sarawak Gateway to Borneo” initiative, which aims to strengthen tourism and trade collaboration by connecting Sarawak stakeholders with West Malaysian travel agencies, hotels, product owners, tour operators and universities.

As part of the programme, Robbie participated as a Sarawak local chef from the Serumpun Sarawak Programme, preparing and serving Sarawak laksa, one of the State’s most iconic dishes, to participants at each location.

Over the three sessions, he prepared more than 200 servings, offering attendees an authentic taste of Sarawak while sharing the cultural heritage and story behind the beloved dish.

The B2B sessions were hosted at DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru, Pullman KLCC and Aloft Langkawi Pantai Tengah, providing a structured platform for networking, knowledge sharing and business engagement among tourism and hospitality stakeholders from across West Malaysia.

Beyond the culinary showcase, the programme also highlighted other Sarawak offerings, including Sarawak coffee presented by Black Bean Coffee & Tea Company, alongside traditional cultural performances by dancers from Majlis Seni Sarawak. Together, these elements offered participants a holistic experience of Sarawak’s diverse cultural identity.

Robbie is a Serumpun Sarawak chef apprentice under the mentorship of chef James Won, co-founder and custodian of Serumpun Sarawak. His involvement reflects ongoing efforts to nurture emerging Sarawakian culinary talent while positioning local cuisine as a key pillar of tourism promotion.

“Being part of this B2B programme is a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the promotion of Sarawak beyond the state. I would like to commend the Sarawak Tourism Board and all partners involved for their dedication and collaborative efforts in showcasing Sarawak’s culture, cuisine and tourism potential to industry players across Malaysia, ” said Robbie.

The “Sarawak Gateway to Borneo” B2B Business Networking Sessions also featured presentations and knowledge-sharing segments by the STB, Business Event Sarawak (BESarawak) and invited industry speakers, further reinforcing Sarawak’s positioning as a dynamic gateway to Borneo and a destination of growing interest among leisure, cultural and business travel partners. — DayakDaily