Snowdan suggests Sarawak version of ‘Master Chef’ TV show to showcase local talent

KUCHING (July 21): In a bid to ignite a passion for culinary arts among Sarawakian youths, Datuk Snowdan Lawan has proposed the creation of a cooking show similar to the renowned ‘Master Chef’ in the state.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts said the programme would be Sarawak’s version, adding it could be developed into a television series.

“Maybe in the future, among the chefs, you can do some sort of a cooking workshop to share with the younger generation who are interested in certain kinds of delicacies. We (the ministry) have that kind of funding and we can accommodate that, so we can have two to three days of workshops.

“The other thing we can do is something like the Sarawak version of ‘Master Chef’. Of course, you can’t bring it in (to Sarawak), it’s not easy to bring it in because it is internationally known. We can name it something else but it would be similar to that programme.

“Maybe we can do a series on it and invite state television agency TVS to showcase it through a series of programmes. This way, we can get more young people to participate in culinary arts,” he said when officiating the third edition of the Sarawak Gastronomy Festival (Sago Fest) here today.

Speaking to reporters after the event, Snowdan said the ministry still has an available fund of RM6.1 million to support non-government organisations (NGOs) to conduct programmes related to the creative and performing arts industry in the state.

As such, he invited these NGOs to apply for the funds so they can hold workshops, whether about gastronomy, handicrafts or fashion.