MAGGI® continues to inspire the next generation of culinary talents together with the
Ministry of Education to shape Malaysia’s vibrant food scene through creativity, innovation
and cooking expertise

Kuala Lumpur, October 17, 2024 – The 27th MAGGI® Secondary School Cooking Competition (MSSCC) concluded with an exciting finale at MyTOWN Shopping Centre, Cheras, bringing to a close a two-month culinary adventure for secondary students nationwide. This year’s theme, ‘Sajian Cita Rasa Malaysia’, attracted widespread interest from 675 talented young chefs aged 13-15, from across Malaysia, each showcasing their creativity by reimagining beloved Malaysian dishes.

As part of its long-standing collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE), which has
flourished since 1997, MAGGI® once again reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing the next generation of culinary talent. Throughout the MSSCC, students not only honed their cooking skills but also developed essential life skills such as teamwork, creativity, and perseverance — skills that lay the foundation for future success.

Encik Jalaluddin bin Ismail, Deputy Director of School Management and Student Development Division, Ministry of Education, praised the collaboration in his speech at the event: “This year’s theme of innovating and modernising traditional Malaysian dishes is befitting with the current landscape where the generation today is more exposed to international cuisines. Through MSSCC, students are encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle and appreciating home-cooked meals. Thus, this has a positive impact on their families to prepare more balanced meals as often emphasised by MAGGI®, for the well-being of the community and nation. May MSSCC hone future cooking talent amongst the young and be a platform for them to gain real-world insights and deeper understanding of the culinary world.”

A highlight of this year’s finale event was the inaugural ‘Ask Me Anything’ Career Sharing
Session with MAGGI®’s Research & Development (R&D) team. Puan Rohaiza Abdul Ghani,
Innovation and Renovation Manager of MAGGI® Malaysia opened the students’ eyes to diverse career paths and the essential role of culinary knowledge in driving quality and innovation for MAGGI®’s products. This interactive session provided a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the industry, igniting the students’ passion for culinary careers from a young age.

Ms Ivy Tan Link Cheh, Business Executive Officer of MAGGI® Malaysia and Singapore, also expressed her appreciation for the long-standing partnership with MOE: “MAGGI® is honoured to once again collaborate with the Ministry of Education this year. This partnership enables us to share our culinary expertise with the younger generation in meaningful ways. The Career Sharing Session, in particular, underscores our commitment to building Malaysia’s culinary talent pipeline. By offering students a fruitful learning experience beyond the classroom, we aim to inspire them to explore future relevant career paths that contribute to preserving the rich variety of cuisines that make up Malaysia’s vibrant culinary heritage.”

Following a rigorous selection process, in which the judges gained insights into the contestants’ personalities, culinary knowledge, and the inspirations behind their culinary creations, the top 16 finalists were chosen to bring their unique culinary vision to the competition. Some of the interesting creations on display included Bulgogi MAGGI® which combined MAGGI® Pedas Giler with a Korean favourite, Sushi Himpit Sate Kayangan (Heavenly Satay Pressed Sushi) which infused local flavours to a Japanese dish, and Bebola Nasi Buah Naga (Dragon Fruit Rice Balls) served with MAGGI® Thai Chilli Sauce which utilised unconventional ingredients for a fresh take on the dish.

Ultimately, two exceptional winners emerged, impressing the judges with their outstanding skills and creativity that set them apart. The MAGGI® MSSCC Finale at MyTOWN Shopping Centre drew a lively crowd, who cheered on with excitement as the thrilling competition unfolded and the champions were crowned.

Muhammad Ammaruddin bin Jasni and Aidil Zikry bin Mohd Noor Izhham from SMK Mahsuri, Kedah, the winners of the 27th MAGGI® Secondary School Cooking Competition (MSSCC), shared their thoughts on their win: “The MSSCC has been so exciting! After months of preparation, we finally had the chance to express our ideas through Lempeng Muhibbah with Ketam Masak Ros (Unity Pancake with Rose-Infused Crab), which is inspired by our own creativity using available ingredients and MAGGI® Curry Cube! We are also grateful to meet so many other talented peers through this event; we’ve learned a lot from watching them, which has made this journey unforgettable.”

The winning team from SMK Mahsuri also added: “The Career Sharing Session was great
because we got to hear from people who are working in the food industry. It showed us the different careers we can pursue in food, and it gave us new ideas for what we might want to do in the future.”

Ahmad Imran bin Sharif and Muhammad Hamiz Alif bin Ishak, one of the top five teams from SMK Seri Selayang, Selangor, shared: “We are really happy we got to cook something special out of our comfort zones in bread-making. It’s been a fun experience, and we’ve learned so much about Malaysian food over the past two months.” The students, despite having learning disabilities, showcased their remarkable abilities and passion for cooking, demonstrating firsthand that talent knows no boundaries.

For further information on MAGGI® MSSCC 2024, please visit
https://www.maggi.my/ms/memupuk-generasi-muda/pertandingan-memasak-MAGGI/.