FAVSTYLE Essentials

  It began as a spark, an idea that stirred conversations, debates and even a few arguments. No one expected it to grow so quickly into something that would excite the community. Rather than opening another ordinary coffee shop, a group of young entrepreneurs decided to create something different: a playful café experience built around a simple yet unusual idea. That idea has now become Lumee BTW (Behind The Wall) , a grab-and-go kiosk in Penampang featuring an interactive “hole in the wall” concept that brings a little theatre to the everyday coffee run. Originally launched in November last year at Caravan, The Shore, Citadines Kota Kinabalu, Lumee temporarily closed operations in June due to unforeseen circumstances. But the story did not end there. By July 5, 2026, the team was already back at the drawing board, brainstorming what could come next. It was then that Chris Steward Anak Jinbai proposed the idea of a “hole in the wall” concept, inspired by a café in Kuala Lumpur kno...

  In a world where conscious living is becoming the new definition of luxury, Value Food is transforming the way we experience dining, value and sustainability. Founded in Kuala Lumpur in 2024, Value Food was created with a beautifully simple purpose: to rescue quality surplus food from hotels, restaurants, cafés, bakeries, supermarkets and food retailers, and give it a second life at exceptional value. Its philosophy is elegantly clear: SAVE GOOD FOOD. SAVE MONEY. SAVE THE EARTH. Through the Value Food app, diners can discover delicious surplus food, reserve and pay conveniently, then collect their orders directly from participating outlets. It is a modern approach to conscious consumption, where great food meets great value. THE SURPRISE BAG One of Value Food’s most delightful experiences is the Value Food Bag , a curated surprise filled with quality food that might otherwise go unsold. From freshly baked pastries and breads to prepared meals and other culinary treasures, each b...

There is a certain elegance in a dining experience that tells a story. At Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu , that story unfolds through Citarasa Malaysia , an evocative celebration of the flavors, traditions and cultural richness that define Malaysia. Book Here Presented at Latest Recipe , the Citarasa Malaysia Weekend Dinner Buffet takes diners on a sophisticated culinary journey across the nation, bringing together regional specialties, cherished flavors and distinctive culinary traditions within the contemporary setting of one of Kota Kinabalu’s leading international hotels. Taking place throughout August and September 2026 , the experience is especially meaningful as Malaysia celebrates Sabah Day, National Day on 31 August and Malaysia Day on 16 September . Rather than presenting a conventional buffet with the same selection each weekend, Citarasa Malaysia introduces eight specially curated menu rotations , allowing the culinary experience to evolve throughout the promotion. It is an inv...

  Kota Kinabalu, 21 August 2026 — Gin Malaya , Malaysia’s first award-winning craft gin , made its first presentation in East Malaysia with an exclusive masterclass at the Rooftop Bar, Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu . The intimate evening brought together cocktails, conversation and discovery, introducing guests to the story and flavors behind the brand as Gin Malaya continues to build its presence across Malaysia. Foong Eu Jin, Co-founder of Gin Malaya Hosted by co-founder Eu Jin Foong , the evening explored the story behind Gin Malaya ’s creation, from its use of Malaysian botanicals to the time-honored distilling craft behind the spirit. “Gin has traditionally been viewed through a very Western lens, so we started asking ourselves: what would a gin inspired by Malaysia taste like? We looked to the ingredients we grew up with and began exploring how we could translate them into a gin. Kota Kinabalu is an exciting next step for us as we continue building Gin Malaya across the country...