James Kon
Brunei Gastronomic Cuisine, the coffee table book produced by Hajah Siti Zaleha binti Haji Kaprawi and Syen Sofian, has been honoured with the prestigious World Gourmand Cookbook Award 2023 as the winners in the Best Asian Cuisine by Countries category.
According to the Tourism Development Department, the award ceremony took place in Umea, Sweden, from May 25-28. Brunei Gastronomic Cuisine is now the third cookbook by Hajah Siti Zaleha to receive international recognition following her first cookbook, Flavours & Colours Brunei Darussalam in 2013, and Flowers & Fruits in Cooking in 2020.
Brunei Gastronomic Cuisine is a book of collection of recipes and dishes contributed from executive chefs who participated in the annual Brunei Gastronomy Week event which started in 2017. The book was officially launched at the Brunei Gastronomy Week in 2020. The book features a selection of recipes collected throughout three years of Brunei Gastronomy Week, each representing the annual themes: Bamboo Chicken in 2017, Banana Leaf in 2018, and Turmeric in 2019.
Hajah Siti Zaleha said the first recognition she received in 2013 fuelled her passion to participate in the Gourmand Award ceremony and publish better cookbooks.
With support from the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism and through collaborations with local chefs, her mission to promote Bruneian cuisine on the international stage has been successful, culminating in this third recognition.
She hoped that the release of this award-winning cookbook would inspire young local food enthusiasts, to follow her footsteps in publishing a new cookbook titled Brunei Culinary Heritage, delving into Brunei’s food culture and sustainable heritage food packaging.
