UCCN Kuching forges international partnership in gastronomy sector
KUCHING: Unesco Creative Cities Network (UCCN) Kuching has extended its partnership with Thailand Creative Cities Network, following a successful exchange event with Petchaburi - a province in central Thailand that has been designated as another Unesco City of Gastronomy.
Unesco Creative Cities Network (UCCN) Kuching Head Dato Wee Hong Seng, who is also Kuching South mayor, said smart partnership and networking in the gastronomy sector are crucial for exposure, knowledge and skills development.
“Our city has been given the chance to share with our network partners across this region, where we have been able to showcase our chefs to the international audience, along with our produce, techniques and creativity,” said Wee in a press statement issued by UCCN yesterday.
The UCCN delegation, during the exchange event in Thailand recently, showcased their culinary demonstrations and participated in a series of panel discussions involving Phetchaburi, Phuket and Sukhothai cities in Thailand, alongside Huaian City in China and Tsuruoka in Japan.
Sarawakian chef Achang Libat of Gypsy Badger, meanwhile showed a range of Sarawak ingredients including dabai, daun ubi and heirloom rice to the international audience and also demonstrated his culinary skills in preparing both traditional and fusion terung asam dish.
According to Achang, Phetchaburi province is particularly famous for its limes and palm sugar – the staples of Thai cuisine, as well as for its sea salt industry.
“As a chef, it is fascinating to see the similarity in food ingredients and this kind of exchange is very inspiring – where I have gained lots of ideas for new dishes,” he said, adding that he was impressed with the Thais’ initiatives in preserving their traditional cuisine.
UCCN Kuching strategic director Karen said the exchange event had been a fruitful one and they are now in the midst of coming up with a range of gastronomic tourism products.
“UCCN Kuching invites local community who wish to have their products, such as durians, sago, rice, coffee or jungle produce be promoted through UCCN network,” she said.
For more information, contact uccnkuching@ kuchingcreativecity.com.