Small Plates, Big Impact: Miri’s World Tapas Event Elevates Sarawak on Global Culinary Stage

Miri, Sarawak, June 22, 2026 / VISITSARAWAK / The successful staging of the World National & World Asia Tapas Competition, Exhibition, Festival and Seminar (WATCEFS) 2026 has firmly established Miri as one of Asia’s emerging culinary and business events destinations, reinforcing Sarawak’s growing reputation as a powerhouse for gastronomy tourism.

Held from 18 to 21 June 2026 across Meritz Hotel, the four-day event attracted more than 3,000 visitors and delegates, over 100 exhibitors, and 55 elite chefs from 13 countries, transforming the northern Sarawak city into a vibrant hub for culinary excellence, trade exchange and international networking.

Now in its third edition, WATCEFS has evolved from a niche culinary competition into a significant regional platform that combines gastronomy, tourism, trade and cultural diplomacy. The event brought together participants from Malaysia, Spain, China, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Jordan and Abu Dhabi, showcasing the growing international appeal of Sarawak as a host destination for global events.

A Showcase of Culinary Tourism and Business Events Excellence
Far more than a competition, WATCEFS 2026 demonstrated how food can serve as a catalyst for destination marketing, economic development and international collaboration.

The programme featured the World National Tapas Competition, World Asia Tapas Competition, Borneo Barista Championship, WATCEFS Food Festival, industry seminars, masterclasses, trade exhibitions and structured business-matching sessions. Together, these elements created a comprehensive ecosystem that connected chefs, producers, hospitality operators, tourism stakeholders, buyers and investors under one roof.

Thirty Malaysian chefs competed in the World National Tapas Competition, while 25 culinary professionals from 12 countries contested the World Asia Tapas Championship. Alongside them, 11 multicultural community associations participated in the food festival, highlighting Sarawak’s rich ethnic diversity and reinforcing the state’s multicultural identity through cuisine.

International exhibitors ranging from artisanal food producers and premium beverage brands to hospitality technology providers and culinary innovators used the event as a gateway to engage with Asian markets, creating new opportunities for trade partnerships and market expansion.

Positioning Sarawak as Asia’s Capital of Tapas
The event’s growing stature reflects Sarawak’s broader ambition to position itself as a leading gastronomy destination in Asia.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Sarawak Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Sebastian Ting, described WATCEFS as a strategic platform that extends well beyond culinary competition.

“Every connection made during this event represents future opportunities for trade, investment and cultural exchange,” he noted, highlighting the role of business events in driving tourism growth and economic development.

Ting further emphasised Sarawak’s emergence as the “Asia Capital of Tapas”, a title that reflects the state’s unique blend of cultures, traditions and culinary influences. The successful hosting of WATCEFS aligns closely with Sarawak’s efforts to diversify its tourism offering beyond nature and adventure travel by developing a strong gastronomy tourism proposition.

As one of the flagship events within the WAK Miri Satellite Festival, WATCEFS also contributed to strengthening Miri’s profile as a creative and cultural hub. The wider festival featured 45 events spanning arts, culture, lifestyle and community engagement, further enhancing the destination’s attractiveness to both domestic and international visitors.

International Exposure for Miri
For Miri, hosting WATCEFS marked another milestone in its evolution as an international meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) destination.

The city’s strategic location in northern Sarawak, modern hospitality infrastructure and proximity to world-renowned attractions such as Gunung Mulu National Park and Niah National Park provide a compelling backdrop for international events. By welcoming delegates, chefs and industry leaders from across Asia, Europe and the Middle East, Miri demonstrated its capacity to host world-class gatherings while showcasing its cultural diversity and tourism assets.

The event also generated significant international media exposure, positioning both Miri and Sarawak before global audiences and strengthening awareness of the destination among travel professionals, culinary enthusiasts and potential investors.

Local Talent Takes Centre Stage
One of the event’s most celebrated moments came when Miri-born Chef Kenny Gan of Hatchi by Kenny’s captured the World National Tapas Competition title.

His victory earned him the honour of representing Malaysia at the prestigious World Tapas Championship in Valladolid, Spain, later this year, providing a powerful example of how international culinary platforms can elevate local talent onto the global stage.

The achievement was particularly meaningful for the host city, underscoring the depth of culinary expertise emerging from Sarawak and highlighting the opportunities that events such as WATCEFS create for professional development, international recognition and cross-border collaboration.

A Model for Future Gastronomy Tourism Growth
The success of WATCEFS 2026 highlights the growing role of gastronomy as a driver of destination competitiveness and economic impact. By combining culinary excellence with trade engagement, cultural exchange and business networking, the event delivered benefits that extended far beyond the competition kitchen.

For Sarawak, the success of WATCEFS 2026 marks another significant milestone in its journey towards becoming one of Asia’s leading culinary destinations. The momentum continues with the upcoming TOP25 Restaurants Sarawak Awards in August in Kuching, an initiative that further strengthens the state’s reputation for culinary excellence and reinforces its positioning as a premier gastronomy tourism destination. These global, high-profile events are helping to elevate Sarawak’s profile among food travellers, industry professionals and international media, showcasing the state’s rich culinary diversity on a global stage.

For Miri, it reinforces the city’s position as a gateway for international events and cultural tourism. And for the wider travel industry, WATCEFS offers a compelling example of how food-focused events can create meaningful economic opportunities while celebrating local identity and global connectivity.

As the final plates were cleared and international delegates departed Borneo, one thing was evident: the World Tapas movement has found a thriving home in Sarawak, and its influence on the region’s tourism and hospitality landscape is only just beginning.

To all restaurants in Sarawak submit your restaurant to get a complimentary nomination and page at the global gastronomy tourism platform: TOP25 Restaurants Sarawak: submit here.