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For the first time, the Kita Food Festival is coming to Kota Kinabalu, running from November 8 to 10. This highly anticipated event, supported by the Sabah Tourism Board, will spotlight some of the region’s best culinary talent while championing local produce and sustainable food practices.
“We are excited to bring Kita Food Festival to Kota Kinabalu for a Weekender, which will include a Big Sunday Barbecue, a mini Kita Conversations, and a selection of four-hand dining events,” said Leisa Tyler, co-founder of Kita Food Festival. “Sabah has one of the richest biodiversities on earth, making it the perfect setting to celebrate the unique flavours and stories of not just Borneo, but Southeast Asia.” She noted that this event aims to connect chefs, producers, and food enthusiasts while showcasing Sabah’s culinary scene on the global stage.
Event Highlights
In line with its ethos of promoting sustainable food practices and uniting food lovers, the Kota Kinabalu Weekender will feature a cocktail party, a Four-Hands Dining Experience, a Big Sunday Barbecue, and more. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
November 8
The festival kicks off with a cocktail party at ON23 Sky Bar, Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu. This event will bring together some of the best bartenders in the city, each crafting special cocktails that highlight exotic flavours and endemic ingredients from Sabah.
November 9
A Four-Hands Brunch will be hosted, featuring Linn Yong of Limau and Linen (Kota Kinabalu) and Ray Adriansyah of Locavore NXT (Bali). Locavore NXT is an evolution of the Bali-based Locavore, a restaurant that ranked No. 42 in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2019 and won top accolades for sustainability and excellence in Indonesia. With Yong’s advocacy for local Sabahan produce, this brunch will celebrate the best that Sabah has to offer.
Later in the evening, a collaboration between Raphael Jay Peter Lee of OITOM (Kota Kinabalu) and Aidan Low of Akâr Dining (Kuala Lumpur) will take place. Akâr Dining, a Michelin-selected restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, is renowned for its seasonal, European-inspired dishes made with local ingredients. This unique dinner will showcase the harmony between tradition and innovation, highlighting premium, locally sourced produce.
November 10
The grand finale is the Big Sunday Barbecue at Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, featuring live-fire cooking by three chef pairings, including Oliver Truesdale Jutras of Re:Growth (Singapore), Johnson Wong of Gēn (Penang), Sidney Disimon Suchart of Hearth (Sabah), Ho Jun Yip of Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu (Sabah), and Oliver Regis Hinson of Shangri-La Tanjung Aru (Sabah). Each team will present their interpretations of grilled dishes using local ingredients, offering a fresh twist on the art of barbecue.
A mini-symposium will also be held at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu. Kita Conversations will host talks on the future of food and sustainability, featuring key figures such as Oliver Truesdale Jutras and Darren Teoh of Dewakan (Kuala Lumpur).
A Milestone for Sabah
Julinus Jimit, CEO of the Sabah Tourism Board, said, “Through Kita Food Festival, we aim to celebrate and elevate Sabah’s proudly local ingredients, showcasing not only the depth of flavours that our land provides but also the incredible stories of the people behind them.” He added that while Sabah is known for its adventure and nature tourism, it is also emerging as a culinary destination for those seeking authentic and diverse dining experiences.
Local chef Linn Yong echoed these sentiments, noting that Kota Kinabalu’s food and beverage industry is still young but has immense potential for growth. “An event like Kita Food Festival could help cast a lasting spotlight on what is unique to Sabah,” she said.
Festival Details
Tickets for the Kota Kinabalu Weekender will be available starting October 4. Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu, located in the heart of the city, is the festival’s official hotel partner and will serve as the event’s central hub. The hotel is also the first Hyatt Centric in Southeast Asia.
Commenting on the partnership, Ruben Schrijver, General Manager of Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu, said, “We are excited to team up with the Kita Food Festival, an event that perfectly aligns with our values of innovation, creativity, and community engagement.” He expressed confidence that this collaboration will further cement Kota Kinabalu as a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts in the region.
Following the Kota Kinabalu Weekender, Kita Food Festival will continue its journey to Singapore for a three-month activation, culminating in a Weekender in March 2025. The Singapore Weekender promises an exciting lineup of seminars, four-hand dinners, and a Big Sunday Barbecue, with a focus on the future of food.
For more details and to stay updated, visit www.kitafoodfestival.com or follow the festival on Facebook and Instagram.
All photos are from the 2023 Kita Food Festival in Kuala Lumpur and are for representative purposes only.
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