Christopher Wan Sageng (left) working on his dish during the Penang International Halal Chef Challenge 2015 (PIHCC)

UCSI University Sarawak Campus has successfully collaborated with the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB) for the purpose of participating in the Penang International Halal Chef Challenge which was held on 30th January – 1st February 2015 at Spice Arena, Penang. 

The PIHEC 2015 was inspired to serve its purpose of promoting, coordinating, and developing the halal industries and businesses in Penang. Furthermore, PIHEC also has been providing the platform to diversify the economy, particularly in Penang. Since its conception, 160 halal exhibitors have participated during this event which is organized annually. The Penang International Halal Hub (PIHH) has also received a lot of international recognition for actively participating on a global scale through collaboration with other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Pakistan, Singapore, and many other countries. 

In conjunction with PIHEC 2015, the Penang International Halal Chef Challenge (PIHCC) was also organized. UCSI University Sarawak Campus, supported by MPB, who provided the pepper based cooking ingredients, sent its international chef to take part in PIHCC. This was the first international cooking competition involving a chef from UCSI University Sarawak Campus. 

PIHCC was divided into 19 classes and the competition was open to all professional and/or amateur chefs and cooks from any hotel, restaurant, home, and catering industry business. Christopher Wan Sageng, a UCSI University Sarawak Campus chef, and culinary arts lecturer decided to participate in the Western Main Course category where he prepared the ‘Pan Seared Paprika Salmon with Beet Root in Green Pepper Sauce’ for 45 minutes. He contended against approximately 300 contestants during the competition. With this main course, Christopher managed to bag the bronze medal, inspiring culinary arts students under his care. 

The enrolment for May 2015 Intake is now in progress. For more information on the courses and scholarships available in UCSI University Sarawak Campus, please call 082 – 455 255 or logon to www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my.