Compete, Trade, Connect: Inside World Asia Tapas 2026 in Sarawak
Sarawak, Malaysia, January 12, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / In June 2026, the world’s culinary map will expand eastward to the island of Borneo, where Sarawak is preparing to host one of the most ambitious gastronomic gatherings Asia has seen.
From June 18 to 21, the coastal city of Miri will become the meeting point for chefs, producers, buyers, innovators, and decision-makers from across continents at the World Asia Tapas Trade Exhibition and Seminar 2026, held in conjunction with the World National and Asia Tapas Competition.
This is not simply another food event added to a crowded international calendar. It is a carefully curated platform that positions gastronomy as both a cultural language and a powerful economic tool, using the universal appeal of tapas to bridge tradition and innovation, craft and commerce, and local identity and global ambition.
The Philosophy of the Small Plate
Tapas, often described as the art of the small plate, has evolved far beyond its origins.
In today’s culinary landscape, it represents adaptability, storytelling, and creativity within constraint, values that resonate strongly in a world increasingly focused on sustainability and conscious consumption.
World Asia Tapas 2026 builds on this philosophy by creating an environment where flavour, technique, and ideas are exchanged alongside contracts, partnerships, and long-term collaborations.
Rather than isolating cuisine from commerce, the event integrates both, recognising that the future of food depends on dialogue between chefs, producers, buyers, and policymakers.
In doing so, it elevates tapas from a format into a framework for innovation.
Why Sarawak, Why Miri
Miri, the host city, is integral to this narrative.
Located in northeastern Sarawak, Miri is a city shaped by diversity, history, and geography.
Home to 34 ethnic groups, it is a place where indigenous knowledge, migration, and modern influences have long coexisted, producing a culinary landscape that is both deeply rooted and constantly evolving.
Its position as the gateway to northern Sarawak, coupled with modern infrastructure, international hotel offerings, and proximity to UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Gunung Mulu and Niah National Parks, gives Miri a distinctive advantage as an international event destination.
Hosting World Asia Tapas 2026 here reinforces the idea that global culinary leadership can emerge from places where culture, biodiversity, and creativity intersect.
Competing for Global Recognition
For chefs, World Asia Tapas 2026 represents far more than a competitive showcase. The World National and Asia Tapas Competition will gather culinary professionals from 18 countries and regions, including Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, China, India, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Middle East, creating a stage where regional identities are expressed through global technique.
The competition is designed to reward originality, technical excellence, and storytelling, with winners earning an all-expenses-paid opportunity to represent their country at the World Tapas Championship in Valladolid, Spain.
There, they will compete for artistic recognition and prize money of up to ten thousand euros, alongside some of the world’s most respected tapas practitioners.
For many participants, Sarawak may mark the turning point where local excellence gains international momentum, transforming careers and opening doors to global collaborations.
A Trade Exhibition with Purpose
Running in parallel with the competitions is the World Asia Tapas Trade Exhibition, a space intentionally designed to foster meaningful commercial exchange.
From June 17 to 21, international producers, suppliers, and service providers will present a wide spectrum of offerings, from artisanal ingredients and beverages to hospitality technologies and sustainability solutions.
What distinguishes this exhibition is not its scale alone, but its audience.
Exhibitors engage directly with chefs, restaurateurs, importers, distributors, hoteliers, tourism authorities, and trade officials, all within an environment curated for dialogue rather than passive display.
Product tastings, demonstrations, and structured business matching sessions ensure that participation translates into tangible outcomes.
For brands seeking entry into Asian markets or deeper engagement within the region, World Asia Tapas 2026 offers both access and relevance.
While the formal agenda provides structure, much of the event’s value lies in the connections formed beyond scheduled sessions.
Breakfast networking, industry receptions, and informal interactions within competition and exhibition spaces create opportunities for dialogue that often lead to future partnerships.
These moments allow chefs, exhibitors, and stakeholders to exchange ideas in an environment shaped by shared passion and professional purpose, turning introductions into collaborations that continue long after the event concludes.
Knowledge, Sustainability, and Skills Development
The programme reflects a recognition that modern gastronomy extends beyond the plate.
The Industry Experts Seminar on the opening day addresses themes shaping the global food and tourism industries, including sustainability, environmental certification, leadership, and human capital development.
These sessions bring together industry leaders and practitioners who share insights into balancing profitability with responsibility.
Complementing this is the World Tapas Masterclass Series, where award-winning chefs guide participants through hands-on sessions that combine technique with cultural context.
Topics range from Sarawak-inspired tapas innovations and zero-waste eco-cooking to Korean palace cuisine reinterpretations, leadership through presentation, and elevating indigenous ingredients such as durian for international appeal.
Together, these elements position World Asia Tapas 2026 as both a showcase and a learning platform, reinforcing its long-term impact on participants.
A Festival That Connects Professionals and the Public
The tapas festival is where World Asia Tapas 2026 opens its doors to a wider audience. Local residents, tourists, and food enthusiasts are invited to explore a curated selection of tapas, wines, spirits, and coffee, turning the event into a celebration of global and regional flavours.
This public-facing component enhances the value proposition for exhibitors and sponsors, offering immediate visibility and real-time feedback from diverse audiences.
It also strengthens Miri’s position as a gastronomy city, reinforcing food as a cultural connector and tourism driver.
A Global Stage with International Reach
World Asia Tapas 2026 is supported by extensive media coverage spanning online streaming, television, radio, print, and digital platforms.
International and regional journalists will document the competitions, exhibitions, and conversations unfolding in Miri, ensuring that the event’s reach extends far beyond Sarawak.
For competitors, this visibility provides recognition and professional credibility.
For exhibitors and sponsors, it offers brand alignment with an international event narrative that resonates across markets and audiences.
A Culinary Future Taking Shape in Borneo
At its heart, World Asia Tapas 2026 reflects a belief that gastronomy can serve as a catalyst for economic growth, cultural preservation, and international understanding.
By situating this event in Sarawak, the organisers underline the importance of place, heritage, and sustainability in shaping the future of food.
As Asia’s culinary landscape continues to evolve, World Asia Tapas 2026 stands as a marker of where the industry is heading.
It is a space where chefs act as cultural ambassadors, exhibitors become storytellers, and destinations are defined by connection rather than scale.
For those seeking to compete at the highest level, introduce products to new markets, or participate in a global dialogue about the future of gastronomy, the invitation is clear.
In June 2026, the world will gather in Miri, Sarawak, where the art of the small plate will carry conversations of global significance.
From 17 to 21 June 2026, the World National Tapas and World Asia Tapas Competition invites chefs, exhibitors, and industry professionals to Miri, Sarawak, for four days of competition, trade, and culinary exchange
Judges, chefs, and exhibitors share a stage at the World National and Asia Tapas Competition, where live cooking, trade exchange, and festival energy create a truly global culinary experience.
Precision, passion, and performance on display as chefs compete at the World National and Asia Tapas Competition, transforming technique and heritage into award-worthy creations.
