The Signature Food Fest 5th Edition Culinary Excellence Recognition Awards 2026 - 16 Signature Establishments - 4 Outstanding Judges - One Grand Celebration of Culinary Excellence Honoring exceptional culinary achievements while promoting tourism, showcasing Sabah's vibrant lifestyle, and elevating the state's food, culture, and hospitality industries to greater heights.

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KOTA KINABALU, SABAH | 05 June 2026

The Signature Food Fest 5th Edition Award Night, officially officiated and endorsed by Yang Berhormat Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister of Sabah and Chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board, together with his esteemed wife Datuk Lucy Irene Yong, was successfully held on 05 June 2026 at Grandis Hotels & Resorts, Kota Kinabalu.


The prestigious event brought together industry leaders, renowned chefs, restaurateurs, hospitality professionals, tourism stakeholders, media representatives, influencers, entrepreneurs, and distinguished guests in a grand celebration of culinary excellence, hospitality achievement, and tourism development.

Organized by Mr. Alfred Allen Ginsos, Organizing Chairman of The Signature Food Fest and Editor-in-Chief of FAVSTYLE Magazine, the event marked another significant milestone in recognizing outstanding achievements within Sabah's food, beverage, hospitality, tourism, and SME sectors.

Entering its fifth edition, The Signature Food Fest has firmly established itself as one of Sabah's leading culinary recognition platforms. Beyond celebrating exceptional food and dining experiences, the festival continues to promote tourism, encourage innovation, and provide valuable exposure to businesses that contribute to Sabah's growing reputation as a premier food and lifestyle destination.

The presence of Yang Berhormat Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and Datuk Lucy Irene Yong underscored the growing importance of the festival within Sabah's tourism and hospitality landscape. Their endorsement highlighted the strong collaboration between government agencies, tourism stakeholders, industry players, and media organizations in advancing Sabah's position as a world-class destination for culinary tourism.

The award ceremony was attended by an esteemed panel of judges comprising Datuk Gordon Leong, Head Judge; Rory Richardson, Permanent Judge; Adjunct Professor Jessie Jong Chung Jin (A.S.D.K), TSFF SME Advisor and Judge; together with respected media personalities Suzanne and Dennis of TVSabah.

The evening commenced with appreciation presentations to strategic partners, media collaborators, guest judges, sponsors, and supporters who played important roles in making the fifth edition a success. Recognition was presented to media partners including LIFT Media and Hello Sabah, alongside guest judges, content creators, influencers, and media supporters whose contributions enhanced the visibility and impact of the festival.

Among those recognized were Leo Liew, Dr Anna Wong, Jimmy Boon of Adelphi Collective, Michael Hiew of Canton Lane, MIAO IN SABAH, Omar Willie of MY KKCITY, Lorena Binisol of Writer On-The-Go, and Belinda Faith representing Sabah KOL Media Alliance.

Special appreciation was also extended to event sponsors and partners, including So Good Market, E West Restaurant by Upper Palace Dining Group, Grandis Hotels & Resorts, Western Tailor, Quintessential Foods, BLUEYIE Design Printhouse, and Shoney's Dining & Bar for their invaluable support.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Media & KOL Recognition Awards, celebrating individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to promoting Sabah's culinary and lifestyle scene. Awards were presented to EAT N HOP Sabah, Omar Willie of MY KKCITY, Dinoza Mahruf of LIFT Media, and Vance Tan of Good Food Sabah.

The event also recognized innovation and product excellence through the Product Innovation Excellence Awards, presented to GG's, KadaiKu, and Green Honey for their commitment to quality, creativity, and market impact.

Public participation was reflected in the Online Most Popular by Vote Awards, where thousands of online votes determined the winners. Rosea Cafe at Grandis Hotels & Resorts emerged as the top choice with 929 votes, followed by Super 7 Restaurant and FAVOLA at Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu.

The MejaRasa Signature Guide Top Choice Awards recognized Yi Jia Kopitiam, Rumah Bumbu, Tasty Wok@Vinition by Upper Palace Dining Group, Grub N Vine, Daya Nyonya Kopitiam, Chill Taverna, and Super 7 Restaurant for their exceptional dining experiences and customer satisfaction.

The prestigious FAVSTYLE Editor-in-Chief Signature Awards were presented to Grandis Hotels & Resorts, Sheraton Kota Kinabalu, Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu, The Palace Hotel Kota Kinabalu, and Shoney's Dining & Bar for their outstanding contributions to the hospitality industry.

One of the most anticipated segments of the evening was the Favstyle Prestige Awards, recognizing establishments that demonstrated excellence in overall performance, customer satisfaction, culinary quality, and brand reputation. Recipients included Chill Taverna, Tasty Wok@Vinition, Cherry Seafood Restaurant, Rosea Cafe, Happy Place Restaurant, and Shoney's Dining & Bar.

The culinary professionals behind Sabah's vibrant food industry were honored through the Outstanding Chef's Awards, presented to Chef Joseph of E West Restaurant by Upper Palace Dining Group, Chef Kellie Renjus of Happy Place Restaurant, and Chef Alvin of Super 7 Restaurant. Special Honorary Mentions were awarded to Chef Rayner of Rosea Cafe and Madam Chef Tracy Tai of Yi Jia Kopitiam for their valuable contributions to the local culinary landscape.

Recognizing the important relationship between gastronomy and tourism, the Culinary Tourism Ambassador Awards celebrated signature dishes that best represent Sabah's diverse culinary identity. Winning dishes included Rosea Cafe's Nasi Lemak Tiger Prawn, Atukuupi's Nasi Briyani Beef Rendang & Atuk Cham Green Tea, Daya Nyonya Kopitiam's Nasi Ulam Ayam Berempah, Little Sulap's Original Sabahan Set (Linopot), and Rumah Bumbu's Sup Konro Rumah Bumbu.

Additional awards were presented across numerous categories including Excellence in Native Sabahan Culinary, Excellence in Local Delight Culinary, Excellence in Western Culinary, Excellence in Fine Dining Western Culinary, Excellence in Chinese Culinary, Best Ambiance Experience, Best Dining Experience, Best Plate Presentation, and Best Customer Service.

The highly coveted Best Signature Menu Awards recognized culinary creations that demonstrated exceptional flavor, creativity, presentation, and customer appeal. Winners included Duo of Beef Brisket by FAVOLA, Squid Ink Pasta with Seafood Bisque & Tiger Prawn by Grub N Vine, and Salted Corn Fed Chicken by E West Restaurant by Upper Palace Dining Group. Special mentions were awarded to Rosea Cafe's Nasi Lemak Tiger Prawn and Yi Jia's Ngiu Chap Curry Laksa.

The evening culminated with the presentation of the festival's highest honors. Happy Place Restaurant received the Grand Hospitality Excellence Award, recognizing its exceptional service standards and overall dining experience. Meanwhile, Grandis Hotels & Resorts was presented with the prestigious TSFF Lifetime Achievement Award, acknowledging its longstanding commitment to hospitality excellence and continuous support for Sabah's tourism and culinary industries.

In his address, Mr. Alfred Allen Ginsos, Organizing Chairman of The Signature Food Fest and Editor-in-Chief of FAVSTYLE Magazine, expressed his appreciation to all participating establishments, judges, sponsors, partners, and supporters.

"The Signature Food Fest was created to celebrate the people behind Sabah's vibrant food and hospitality industry. Every chef, restaurant owner, hotel operator, entrepreneur, and tourism stakeholder plays a vital role in shaping Sabah's identity as a destination rich in culture, hospitality, and culinary excellence. This platform is dedicated to recognizing their passion, innovation, and commitment to excellence."

As The Signature Food Fest celebrates its successful fifth edition, the event continues to strengthen its role as a premier platform for culinary recognition, hospitality excellence, tourism promotion, and SME development. With growing support from industry leaders, government agencies, tourism stakeholders, and the public, the festival is poised to continue elevating Sabah's food and hospitality industries for years to come.

Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

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