Miri to Take Center Stage on Culinary Landscape this June
Miri, Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia, May 8, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Mark your calendars! Miri is set to take center stage on the culinary landscape this June as host of the 3rd edition of World National Tapas and World Asia Tapas Competition, Exhibition, Festival & Seminar 2026, a vibrant culinary celebration bringing together Michelin-starred chefs, tastemakers, and food lovers from across the globe.
Known for its rich cultural diversity and proximity to Borneo’s natural treasures, Miri provides the perfect backdrop for an event that blends tradition, innovation, and sustainability through the art of tapas. The culinary showcase returns to Borneo promising a dynamic showcase of small plates that tell big stories—each dish reflecting the heritage, creativity, and evolving techniques of its creator. Attendees can expect an exciting mix of flavours and fun, with the insightful masterclasses and trade exhibitions and Tapas festival culminating in the World National Tapas and World Asia Tapas competitions. From classic interpretations rooted in Spanish culinary tradition to bold, modern twists infused with regional influences from Southeast Asia and beyond, look forward to a flavourful fiesta this 18 – 21 June, 2026. The 3rd Edition of this event is organised by ETHOS CONNECT International Consulting SDN BHD and Sarawak International Technical and Vocational Education Association, with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing Arts Sarawak and Tourism Malaysia in cooperation with Valladolid City Council of Spain.
A key highlight will be its distinguished panel of jurors, featuring globally recognized culinary experts and industry leaders such as Jasbir Kaur, Head Juror of Asia Tapas Championship hailing from New Zealand, Abang Abdul Rahman Bin, Alex Ting, Billy Lee, Su Kim Hock, Johnson Wong, Lee Zhe Xi, YC Chong, Leslie Teong, Jason Manson, Danny Ho and Pieter Fitz-Dreyer will be among those lending their expertise, ensuring that each creation is evaluated with both precision and passion. Additional VIP guests, including the Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing Arts and the Mayor of Valladolid City Council, are expected to attend, adding prestige and global attention to the celebration. Regional and Bornean participation will be a defining feature of this year’s gathering. 30 Malaysia nationals and 25 Southeast Asian chefs, and even more culinary-based businesses from across Brunei, Sabah, Sarawak, and other neighboring countries will bring their unique identities and products to the table, highlighting Southeast Asia’s growing influence in the global food scene and encouraging cultural exchange through cuisine.
Want to see how your local contestants will reinvent traditional ingredients like gula apong, dabai, terung Dayak, sago, pandan, or mambangan? Innovation and sustainability stand at the heart of the World National Tapas Event. Participating chefs are encouraged to prioritize locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, showcasing Borneo’s rich biodiversity. From sustainably caught seafood to indigenous herbs and organic produce, the emphasis is on responsible sourcing and respecting local ingredients – showing culinary excellence and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.
Beyond the competition, the event will include live demonstrations, interactive workshops, and networking sessions, offering attendees an immersive gastronomic experience. Whether you are a culinary professional or an enthusiastic foodie, the World National & World Asia Tapas Competition, Exhibition, Festival and Seminar 2026 in Miri happening this June promises inspiration, innovation, and unforgettable flavors.
CEO WELCOME MESSAGE
by
Dr Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor
Chief Executive Officer
Sarawak Tourism Board
On behalf of the Sarawak Tourism Board, I am pleased to warmly welcome all chefs, exhibitors, organisers, partners, gastronomy professionals and delegates to Sarawak for the World Asia Tapas Trade Exhibition & Seminar 2026. We are honoured to host this international gastronomy platform, bringing together culinary experts, hospitality professionals and industry stakeholders from across Asia and beyond.
We are especially delighted that the event is being held in Miri, widely recognised as the northern gateway to Sarawak. From here, visitors have access to some of the region’s most remarkable natural and cultural destinations, including Sarawak’s twin UNESCO World Heritage Sites — Gunung Mulu National Park and Niah National Park — which showcase the depth of the region’s heritage.
Organised under the theme “Asia on a Plate,” the event celebrates the diversity of Asian gastronomy by bringing together flavours, ingredients and culinary traditions from across the continent. It highlights how food serves as a cultural bridge, enabling chefs and culinary professionals to exchange ideas, showcase their heritage and connect through the universal language of cuisine. Through its exhibitions, seminars, masterclasses and competitions, the event creates a valuable platform for collaboration and cross-cultural exchange.
Sarawak offers a distinctive setting for this celebration of food. Home to 34 ethnic communities, the state’s culinary identity is shaped by a rich blend of indigenous knowledge, local ingredients and traditions that have evolved across generations.
This continues to define Sarawak’s food culture today, with our capital city, Kuching, recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to preserving culinary traditions while positioning gastronomy as an integral part of our tourism and cultural identity.
As you take part in this event, I encourage you to explore Sarawak beyond the programme — discover our culinary traditions, experience the richness of our cultures, and immerse yourself in the natural heritage that defines this remarkable region.
I wish you a productive and inspiring event, and a memorable stay in Sarawak, the Gateway to Borneo — where gastronomy, culture, biodiversity and heritage come together.
