The internationally recognized World Top Gourmet Awards (WTGA) announces the return of its 7th edition at a press conference in Royale Chulan KL.
The World Top Gourmet Awards (WTGA), an internationally recognized platform for culinary excellence, has officially launched its 7th edition at a press conference at Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur. This year’s program introduces major milestones, including a brand-new trophy design and, for the first time, the event’s staging in Guangzhou, China — a city celebrated for its rich food heritage and global gastronomic reputation.
Guest of Honor Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, and Chef of Honor Adjunct Prof. Datuk Chef Wan officiated the launch, revealing plans for WTGA 2025. The event is designed to strengthen cross-border collaboration in the food, hospitality, and tourism sectors while aligning with Malaysia’s flagship Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026) campaign.
Set to take place at the luxurious Shangri-La Guangzhou, WTGA 2025 will feature a morning World Gourmet Exchange Summit and an evening Gala Awards Ceremony. More than 800 participants — including master chefs, policymakers, hospitality leaders, media, and industry influencers — are expected to attend for knowledge exchange, networking, and the celebration of culinary achievements.
Dr. Peggy Chong, Founder & President of the World Top Gourmet Awards delivering her speech.
With a focus on fostering international ties through food, this year’s theme underlines gastronomy’s role in bridging cultures. The decision to host the event in Guangzhou marks a significant step in expanding WTGA’s global reach and encouraging dialogue between China, Malaysia, and the wider culinary world.
“Food is a language that transcends borders. By hosting the World Top Gourmet Awards in Guangzhou, we’re not only recognizing excellence but also deepening the cultural and culinary ties between China and Malaysia,” said Dr. Peggy Chong, Founder & President of the World Top Gourmet Awards, “This year’s awards support our long-term vision of using gastronomy as a platform for cultural diplomacy, tourism promotion, and economic cooperation.”
WTGA 2025’s alignment with VMY2026 supports Malaysia’s goal of drawing 35.6 million international visitors and generating RM147.1 billion in tourism receipts through cultural, eco, and culinary tourism.
A group photo with the press conference attendees to commemorate the press conference of the World Top Gourmet Awards 2025.
Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, highlighted the importance of culinary events like WTGA in positioning Malaysia as a food tourism destination, saying, “Food is Malaysia’s soft power. Through initiatives like the World Top Gourmet Awards, we showcase not just our cuisine, but the warm, multicultural spirit of Malaysia. As we look forward to Visit Malaysia Year 2026, we welcome more collaborations like this that elevate Malaysia on the world stage.”
Chinese travelers can now enter Malaysia without a visa, a move expected to further boost arrivals. In 2019, Malaysia welcomed over 3.1 million visitors from China, and by mid-2025, more than 1.65 million have already been recorded, signaling a strong tourism recovery.
The event also saw the unveiling of WTGA’s newly designed trophy — a modern emblem of innovation, craftsmanship, and prestige that honors excellence, resilience, and creativity in the F&B and tourism sectors.
In addition, Master Chef Justin Hor, renowned for his expertise in Malaysian-Chinese cuisine, has been appointed World Gourmet Ambassador 2025. He will spearhead outreach and culinary diplomacy efforts alongside WTGA and Tourism Malaysia.
For more information, please visit: https://www.worldgourmet.biz/
