5 teen chefs emerged as champions in Maggi®’s nationwide cooking competition

Photo provided by Maggi

The recently-concluded

MAGGI® Secondary School Cooking Competition 2021 (MSSCC 2021),

Organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Malaysia,

Returned this year with the theme

“Anda & MAGGI, Sajikan Kelainan Untuk Inspirasi Harian”

(You & MAGGI, Serving Different Dishes for Daily Inspiration),

Set to discover and nurture outstanding culinary talent

Amongst the youth in Malaysia. 

Approximately 1,000 aspiring young students,

Aged between 13 to 15 years old

From 350 schools across the nation displayed

Not just their extraordinary cooking talent,

But also to make the right nutritional choices

With the ‘Pinggan Sihat Malaysia’

Or ‘Suku-Suku Separuh’

(Malaysian Healthy Plate / Quarter-Quarter Half)

Concepts towards building healthier eating habits. 

The MSSCC 2021 marks

MAGGI®’s 25th year of collaboration with

The Ministry of Education Malaysia,

Serving as a nurturing platform

For the younger generation to cultivate culinary and life skills,

Knowledge and self-efficacy

Which are critical towards confidence building

And character development in their lives. 

According to Geetha Balakrishna,

Business Executive Officer of MAGGI®,

Nestlé (Malaysia) Berhad,

“Catering to the new reality post COVID-19 pandemic,

We moved the competition from on ground activation

To a fully virtual platform for the first time this year,

Enabling all students to participate

Without compromising on health and safety.

As many school children are still staying home due to the pandemic,

This is the opportune time for them to cultivate their cooking skills.

This competition continues to serve as a platform

For these young talents to showcase their hidden talents

As well as a knowledge sharing opportunity

Through various educational modules by industry experts.” 

Participants were required to submit their recipes in a video format

And were judged based on the creative use of ingredients,

Cooking skills, presentation and culinary inspiration.

Four brand-new online learning modules via Google Classroom

Were also introduced through a collaboration

With celebrity Chefs and cooking personalities

To support the continuation of learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The four learning modules consists of: 

• ‘Healthy and Balanced Cooking’ with MAGGI® Chef, Chef Sharifah Hamidah and Nestlé Nutritionist Mrs. Ven Luan; 

• ‘Learning Food Safety and Hygiene’ with MAGGI® Chef, Chef Muluk; 

• ‘Professional Food Styling Tips’ with celebrity chef and TV host, Chef Sherson Lian; and‘Building your Self-confidence’ with Brand Ambassador for MAGGI® CukupRasa, Datin Paduka Eina Azman. 

Photo provided by Maggi

From a total of 16 winners representing 13 states and 3 federal territories,

5 national winners were eventually selected as champions,

Comprising of:

• Rafidah Fitri Binti Hamidzol, 15, from SMK Syed Alwi, Perlis; 

• Muhammad Faaris Salihin Bin Mohd Firdaus, 13, from Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah, Putrajaya; 

• Nursyafiqah Binti Mohd Azmi, 14, from SMK Intan Perdana, Negeri Sembilan; 

• Yap Mei Wei, 13, from SMJK Katholik, Selangor; and 

• Jaymee Ong Miin Li, 15, from SMJK Heng Ee, Pulau Pinang.

According to Rafidah Fitri Binti Hamidzol,

The Grand Winner of MAGGI® Secondary School Cooking Competition 2021,

“My grandmother’s cooking was the inspiration

For my Mixed Herb Rice and Tilapia Wrap Satay

(Nasi Ulam & Sate Lilit Ikan Tilapia) recipes.

Among the ingredients that I used

Were herbs and vegetables that I grow around my home.

With this recipe,

I hope to reintroduce healthy, nutritious traditional cuisine

Especially to young Malaysians.”

First runner-up Muhammad Faaris Salihin Bin Mohd Firdaus,

Who prepared a Shrimp with Padang Sauce (Udang Sos Padang),

Said he was inspired to take up cooking after his mother passed away.

“I took up the responsibility of preparing the meals for my father and siblings.

I hope that my culinary efforts will bring a smile to their faces,” he said.

Other winning recipes include Nursyafiqah’s oil-free and nutritionally balanced Korean Egg Roll,

Yap Mei Wei’s Rainbow Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng Pelangi)

Which utilises colourful ingredients depicting hope, joy and success,

And Jaymee Ong’s Bird’s Nest (Sarang Burung) platter

That symbolises the bond between families. 

“We hope that these winners of the MAGGI® Secondary School Cooking Competition 2021

Will become role models amongst their peers

Who are looking to take up balanced homemade cooking,

Just as their parents and teachers were role models to them.

It has been an inspirational journey for us at MAGGI®

As we witnessed these amazing young cooks bring an abundance of energy,

Confidence, creativity and culinary skills to the table.

With continuous support from the Ministry,

Schools, teachers, parents and the community,

We are humbled that this competition continues

To support many young Malaysians

In developing their culinary talents

And enriching their knowledge

In making tasty and balanced meals,” added Geetha.

Get to know the 5 winners of

The MAGGI® Secondary School Cooking Competition

And their winning recipes on

https://www.maggi.my/en/nurturing/MAGGI-cooking-competition-2021/