The 28th MAGGI® Secondary School Cooking Competition, held in partnership with the Ministry of Education Malaysia and State Education Department, concluded with an exciting Grand Finale featuring 16 state finalists at The Campus Ampang. This marked the end of a two-month culinary journey for secondary students from across Malaysia.
MAGGI® celebrated the creativity, talent, and passion of students shaping the future of Malaysia’s food culture, with this year’s finale themed Dari Negeri ke Pentas Dunia. The 2025 edition recorded 2044 student entries aged 13 to 17 from 16 states, including Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya and Labuan, with 866 students participating at state levels. For the first time, Form 4 and Form 5 students joined, offering more opportunities to explore cooking fundamentals and learn about balanced diets while showcasing their creativity in the kitchen.
The competition emphasized nurturing skills and inspiring the next generation of everyday cooks beyond the classroom. MAGGI® has collaborated with the Ministry of Education since 1997 to promote healthy cooking and eating habits among young Malaysians. Throughout MSSCC, students sharpened cooking skills and developed life skills such as teamwork, creativity, and perseverance, building blocks for future success.
Ms. Ivy Tan Link Cheh, Business Executive Officer of MAGGI® Malaysia and Singapore, shared, “We deeply value the Ministry’s trust and support over the past 28 years. Together, we remain committed to nurturing healthy cooking and eating habits among the next generation of Everyday Cooks. Over the past 28 years, more than 350,000 students have explored their creativity and passion in the kitchen, which is truly inspiring.”
Students learned more than just recipes—they gained confidence, collaborated with peers, and discovered the joy of preparing balanced meals reflecting Malaysia’s diverse food culture. Competitions like this provide space to experiment, dream, and explore culinary skills.
After rigorous judging on creativity, taste, presentation, and nutritional balance, five national winners emerged, showcasing extraordinary culinary skills. The winners were Muhammad Adiy Naufal Bin Muhammad Hazrul and Nur Muslihah Najwa Binti Hamizan from SMK Seri Bemban, Melaka; Dhiya Hanis Syamimi Binti Faizatu Afkhma and Nur Atiqah Elisya Binti Zulfatihi from SMK Sultan Yahya Petra 1, Kelantan; Muhammad Asner Bin Asnal and Muhammad Alfian Bin Saadon from SM St. Mary, Sabah; Muhammad Amsyar Haikal Bin Abdullah and Muhammad Danial Asyraf Bin Awang @ Ahmad from SMK Belara, Terengganu; and Mohammad Aidil Zaqwan Bin Mirza and Muhammad Airil Haikal Bin Abdullah from SMK Bandar Sibu, Sarawak.
Muhammad Adiy Naufal Bin Muhammad Hazrul and Nur Muslihah Najwa Binti Hamizan took home the championship with their dish, Grilled Duck with MAGGI® Percik ala Thai Sauce with Salsa Mango served with Garlic Bread, inspired by French cuisine Duck L’Orange. They expressed that MSSCC allowed them to explore modern cooking while preserving flavor and celebrating Malaysia’s food heritage.
Second place went to Dhiya Hanis Syamimi Binti Faizatu Afkhma and Nur Atiqah Elisya Binti Zulfatihi for their Sushi Itik Percik with Sos Hijau, which showcased how traditional recipes can be adapted to be healthy without losing authenticity.
Ms. Tan concluded by applauding all students for their dedication, stating, “Every young chef has shown incredible passion and talent, and I hope this experience inspires them to keep cooking, experimenting, and celebrating Malaysia’s amazing flavours.”
For more information on MAGGI® MSSCC 2025, visit https://www.maggi.my/ms/memupuk-generasi-muda/