MAGGI Secondary School Cooking Competition Continues To Shape Aspiring Teen Cooks

*Finalists from all across Malaysia gathered to do battle in the kitchen at the grand finale of the 27th MAGGI Secondary School Cooking Competition (MSSCC)*

The 27th edition of the MAGGI Secondary School Cooking Competition (MSSCC) returned this year with young aspiring home cooks aged 13 to 15 pulling out all the stops to attain the champion title. MSSCC is the result of MAGGI’s partnership with the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE), with over 10,000 schools and 341,000 students engaged nationwide since its start in 1997, fostering a love for home-cooked meals and inspiring positive impact through culinary talent development.

Transcending the conventional boundaries of a cooking competition, the annual MSSCC not only serves as a platform for students to pursue a passion for cooking, but also contains a vital educational element aligned with MAGGI’s core values and principles. Beyond raising awareness about the importance of balanced diets, the competition also empowers students with valuable life skills, setting the stage for their future endeavours in the culinary world and beyond.

[Fourth from left] YBrs. Mr. Zainuren bin Mohd Nor, Director of the Department of Sports, Co-Curricular, and Arts, Ministry of Education, accompanied by [second from right] Ms Ivy Tan, Business Executive Officer of MAGGI, Nestlé (Malaysia) Berhad, celebrating with the grand prize winners of MSSCC 2023, [third and fourth from right] Duangkamon A/P Somfong and Veerada A/P Wilat, from Sekolah Menengah Syed Sirajuddin, Perlis

The theme for 2023, “Sajian Seimbang, Inspirasi Warisan” (Balanced Meal, Heritage Inspiration), saw the creative use of MAGGI infused with the states’ rich tapestry of cultural heritage to showcase a diverse range of wholesome and flavourful dishes. Each year, the challenge also cultivates the value of making the right daily nutritional choices. Beyond the culinary skills honed, MSSCC also encourages students to think outside the box and develop problem-solving abilities in the kitchen. The experience imparts lessons about discipline, time management, and adaptability. As participants engage in friendly competition, they also cultivate sportsmanship, resilience, and a passion for continuous improvement.

A distinguished panel of judges from Nestlé (Malaysia) Berhad including Chef Sharifah Hamidah binti Syed Mohsin (MAGGI® Resident Chef), Chef Muhammad Hakimi bin Badrul Hisham (Service Pillar Executive) and Ms. Leong Ven Luan (Category Nutrition Manager) were involved in meticulously evaluating submissions, selecting top three entries from each state, culminating in 32 finalists at the Grand Finale. Veerada A/P Wilat and Duangkamon A/P Somfong from Sekolah Menengah Syed Sirajuddin, Perlis secured the coveted 1st place to not only earn well-deserved recognition but a cash prize of RM5,000 for the winning dish, “Lempeng Kobis and Kari Tauhu”.

[Left to right] Veerada A/P Wilat and Duangkamon A/P Somfong , the talented young duo from Sekolah Menengah Syed Sirajuddin, Perlis, proudly displaying their winning dish, “Cabbage Cake and Tofu Curry”

YBrs. Encik Zainuren bin Mohd Nor, Director of the Department of Sports, Co-Curricular, and Arts, Ministry of Education, shared, “Reflecting our commitment to drive the holistic development of young Malaysians, the strategic partnership between MOE and MAGGI has achieved tangible results through the MSSCC. This platform not only ignites the culinary passion of the participating students but is also a catalyst for future pursuits extending across Malaysia. We hope that MSSCC will continue to ensure an inclusive and enriching experience for Malaysian youth.”

In addition to MOE, State Technical and Vocational Units, as well as State Education Departments support the competition in various ways. This year, the competition commenced in September 2023, with participants submitting their recipes and videos aligned with the 2023 theme through the online platform provided on MAGGI’s official website.

Ms Ivy Tan, Business Executive Officer of MAGGI, Nestlé (Malaysia) Berhad, expressed, “MSSCC is truly an opportunity to amplify our commitment to fostering a love for home-made meals that are balanced and nutritious, while celebrating young talent and our nation’s multifaceted cultural heritage. This year, we witnessed the incredible journey of participants who displayed tremendous creativity and innovation to bring us a glorious selection of tasty, balanced meals. Kudos to the winners and all participants, it was a tough battle but most inspiring!”

*Teams giving their all to impress the judges with their skills in creating well-balanced homemade dishes inspired by cultural heritage*

The 32 finalists from across the country were selected through an online interview process, where the judges gained insights into their personalities, culinary knowledge, and the inspirations behind their culinary creations. This culminated in the Grand Finale at Movenpick Hotel & Convention Centre KLIA, Sepang.

In the words of two finalists, Aisyah Insyirah binti Aswadi and Aisyah Husna binti Aswadi from Sekolah Menengah Setapak Indah, Kuala Lumpur: “This competition has been an extraordinary experience for us all. It has enabled us to challenge and enhance our culinary skills, while opening our eyes to how balanced meals plays a big role in our daily lives. We will definitely be making more informed choices in meals prepared at home.”

For more information on MSSCC 2023, please visit https://www.maggi.my/ms/memupuk-generasi-muda/pertandingan-memasak-MAGGI-2023/