Sarawak, Sabah jungle chefs to serve tribal dishes at Rice Heritage Festival

Chin holding up the voucher booklets that can be used at the Rice Heritage Festival.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Sept 19: The inaugural Rice Heritage Festival, showcasing jungle chefs from Sarawak and Sabah cooking traditional rice-based dishes over open fire, will be held next weekend from Sept 27 to 29 at MBKS Lake Park Theatre.

In a media release, organiser WhatMatters director Marian Chin highlighted that the festival offers a unique opportunity to savour the flavours and experience the culture of Sarawak and Sabah in one location.

“From Sabah, there will be a delegation of 26, including jungle chefs, dancers, rice ritual presenters, a bamboo friction fire demonstrator, and food presented by the Dusun Tatana, Rungus, Dusun Sandayo Murut Binta, Suang Lotud and Dusun Tindal communities.

“From Sarawak, we will feature 12 jungle chefs, four performers/chanters, and food presented by the Kelabit, Bidayuh, Kenyah, Iban, Melayu, and Kayan groups,” she shared.

Co-organised with Kelab Rekreasi Pengguna & Pengurusan Dewan Serbaguna Kpg Tematu, the Rice Heritage Festival is sponsored by Ministry of Tourism, Arts And Culture.

It is also held in collaboration with Kuching South City Council (MBKS), Kuching Creative City and Sabah Cultural Board.

Entry to the event is free, and voucher booklets, priced at RM50 each, are now available for visitors wishing to enjoy the traditional fare at the food stations. Each booklet contains 10 vouchers worth RM5 each.

This festival follows the successful Food-Over-Fire Festival organised by WhatMatters in 2022 and 2023.

For more information or to purchase voucher booklets, contact WhatMatters at 019-252 9576. — DayakDaily