BANGKOK TO BORNEO: HYATT CENTRIC KOTA KINABALU WELCOMES THE CHEF PATRONS BEHIND THE ACCLAIMED MIA RESTAURANT

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Four-day programme from 2 to 5 September 2026 combines destination dining, industry exchange and a pastry masterclass for Sabah’s emerging culinary talent

KOTA KINABALU, SABAH – Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu will welcome Chef Patrons Pongcharn “Top” Russell and Michelle Goh of the renowned Mia Bangkok to Sabah from 2 to 5 September 2026 for Mia in Sabah: Bangkok to Borneo.

The four-day culinary programme will bring together exclusive dining experiences, an industry-focused chef forum and an intimate pastry masterclass for the six winners of Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu’s Whisk Taker dessert competition.

The programme is organised by Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah (KePKAS) and Sabah Tourism Board (STB), reflecting a shared commitment to positioning Sabah as a leading culinary destination through international collaborations, industry development and talent enhancement.

A Culinary Platform Built Over Time

Since opening, Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu has approached food and beverage as a way to strengthen the destination, not only through what is served to guests, but through the people, ideas and skills brought together around each experience.

In 2024, the hotel participated in the first Kota Kinabalu edition of KITA Food Festival. The programme saw the hotel’s culinary team work alongside local chefs, while ON23 brought together bartenders from across the city to create a cocktail menu inspired by local ingredients.

In 2025, ON23 expanded the conversation beyond Sabah with a rooftop bar takeover featuring Sam Orrock of Wax On Berlin, introducing Kota Kinabalu audiences and the hotel’s bar team to one of Europe’s progressive contemporary cocktail concepts.




That momentum continued in July 2026 with Sabah-Dee Krub, a Thai kitchen takeover at ON22 that paired Thai Chef Phubase Chuprakong from Chiang Mai with Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu’s Chef Elroy Ernest. The collaboration brought authentic Thai flavours together with contemporary techniques and local inspiration from Sabah.

The hotel also created Whisk Taker, a dessert competition bringing together aspiring pastry talent, culinary educators and hospitality professionals from across Sabah. The six winning participants will now progress from competition to mentorship through a private masterclass with Chef Michelle Goh during “Mia in Sabah.”

Together, these initiatives reflect a consistent approach: bringing new ideas into the destination, creating opportunities for Sabah talent to participate and ensuring that every collaboration leaves knowledge and capability behind.

“This is not a one-off guest-chef dinner. It is the next chapter in a culinary platform we have been building with our team and partners over several years.

“From KITA Food Festival and the Wax On Berlin takeover to Sabah-Dee Krub and Whisk Taker, every collaboration has been designed to create three outcomes: an exceptional experience for guests, greater visibility for Sabah and meaningful exposure for local talent.

“Welcoming Chef Top and Chef Michelle allows us to take that commitment further – connecting internationally recognised culinary achievement with the people who are helping shape Sabah’s next chapter in food and hospitality.”

— Ruben Schrijver, General Manager, Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu

Mia Bangkok Comes to Sabah

Mia Bangkok is led by Chef Patrons Pongcharn “Top” Russell and Michelle Goh, whose culinary direction brings Asian heritage together with European technique, contemporary precision and highly personal storytelling.

Chef Top’s cooking has been shaped by his Thai heritage and international experience, while Chef Michelle, who grew up in Kuching, returns to Borneo with a personal connection to the region. Together, they have developed Mia into one of Bangkok’s recognized contemporary fine-dining restaurants.



For guests in Sabah, the collaboration offers a rare opportunity to experience Mia’s culinary philosophy without travelling to Bangkok. For the local hospitality community, it creates direct access to the thinking, discipline and leadership behind an internationally recognised restaurant.

“Every Mia menu begins with a story – where we come from, what we remember and how those ideas can be expressed through technique.

“For Sabah, we are not looking to simply reproduce our Bangkok dining room. We want to create an experience that reflects Mia’s philosophy while responding to the energy, people and sense of place we encounter in Kota Kinabalu.”

— Chef Pongcharn “Top” Russell, Chef Patron, Mia Bangkok

Sharing Knowledge Beyond the Dining Room

The programme begins on 2 September 2026 with a chef forum for chefs, hospitality professionals, culinary educators and students.

Chef Top and participating industry leaders will explore the realities behind building a contemporary restaurant, including culinary creativity, leadership, kitchen culture, sustainability, menu development, talent retention and the changing expectations of today’s diners.











The forum is intended to encourage practical discussion rather than one-way presentation, giving Sabah’s culinary community the opportunity to exchange ideas, ask questions and learn directly from the visiting chefs’ professional journey.






“Culinary tourism is becoming an increasingly important part of how destinations distinguish themselves.

“Initiatives that connect internationally recognized talent with local industry, students and emerging professionals can contribute to both destination visibility and long-term capability. We welcome collaborations that strengthen Sabah’s reputation for gastronomy, culture and hospitality.”

 

— YBhg. Datuk Josie Lai, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah

Three Evenings of Destination Dining

From 3 to 5 September 2026, Chef Top and Chef Michelle will present a limited series of dinners at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu.

The experience will introduce diners to Mia’s contemporary culinary direction through a specially curated menu shaped by craftsmanship, storytelling and the chefs’ Asian and European influences.




Rather than operating as a standalone restaurant pop-up, the dinners form part of a wider destination programme connecting visiting culinary talent, Sabah’s hospitality community and travellers seeking experiences unique to Kota Kinabalu.

Dining Details

  • Dates: 3–5 September 2026
  • Venue: ON22 Restaurant, Level 22
  • Experience: A 7-course menu
  • Price: RM688 nett per person
  • Capacity: Limited nightly seating of 40 pax; advance reservations required

From Competition to Mentorship

The programme concludes on 5 September 2026 with a private pastry masterclass led by Chef Michelle for the six winners of Whisk Taker.

Held on 30 June 2026, Whisk Taker was created to identify and encourage emerging pastry talent while strengthening connections between aspiring professionals, culinary educators and Sabah’s hospitality industry.




During the masterclass, participants will gain first-hand exposure to contemporary pastry techniques, flavor development, presentation and the creative discipline behind a professional dessert programmed.






More importantly, the experience is intended to help participants build the confidence to develop their own culinary identity rather than simply reproduce the work of others.

“Returning to Borneo makes this collaboration especially meaningful to me.

“Technique is important, but young pastry chefs also need confidence, curiosity and the courage to develop their own point of view. I look forward to meeting the Whisk Taker winners, sharing what I have learned and encouraging them to continue building their craft.”

— Chef Michelle Goh, Chef Patron, Mia Bangkok

Event Programme

2 September 2026 – Chef Forum
An industry knowledge-sharing forum featuring Chef Top and hospitality leaders, created for chefs, culinary students, educators and hospitality professionals.

3–5 September 2026 – Mia in Sabah Dining Experience
A limited series of dinners presenting the culinary philosophy of Mia Bangkok at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu.

5 September 2026 – Whisk Taker Winners’ Masterclass
A private pastry masterclass with Chef Michelle for the six winners of Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu’s Whisk Taker dessert competition.

Reservations

Reservations for Mia in Sabah: Bangkok to Borneo are now open.

Chef Forum
WhatsApp/Phone Bookings: +60 12-710 2048

Mia in Sabah Dining Experience
Online Bookings: https://www.tablecheck.com
WhatsApp/Phone Bookings: +60 12-985 2048
Email: BKICT-Food.and.Beverage@hyatt.com

World of Hyatt and Dine@Hyatt members are eligible to earn points on qualifying spend. Standard programme terms and conditions apply.

Seats are limited and advance reservations are required. For group bookings, partnership enquiries or accommodation packages, please contact Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu.

About Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu

Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu is the first Hyatt Centric hotel in Southeast Asia, offering intrepid explorers the ideal launchpad into Sabah and its abundant natural beauty and indigenous cultures with its prime location in the coastal city’s downtown area.

The hotel features a double-edged infinity rooftop swimming pool, duplex dining destination ON22 restaurant, ON23 Sky Bar with stunning sunset views, a 24-hour fitness centre, and 222 spacious guestrooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies overlooking the bustling city or lush green hills.

Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu is within walking distance to shopping malls, local cafes, entertainment and Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal. The Sabah International Convention Centre and Likas Sports Complex are a five-minute drive away, while Kota Kinabalu International Airport is within a 15-minute drive.

Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu


 Contacts: Lillian Tan, Director of Sales & Marketing and Chiara Chin, Senior Marketing Communications Executive
Emails: lillian.tan@hyatt.com / chiara.chin@hyatt.com

Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

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