SICC serves 850-Dish Buffet Promoting Cultural Diversity and Food Tourism

27 February 2026

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) is presenting an impressive buffet featuring 850 dishes, including Nusantara cuisine, Sunnah delicacies, kampung-style fare, as well as Western and Chinese options.

SICC’s Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Dr. Rosmawati Lasuki, explained that the extensive variety in this year’s special buffet aims to bolster the state’s potential in gastronomic tourism.

“This year’s concept emphasises Sabah’s diverse ethnic communities through a selection of traditional dishes that reflect our rich cultural heritage.

“We want to showcase Sabah’s ethnic diversity through food. This is not merely a buffet; it’s an effort to promote and strengthen food tourism and to stimulate the local economy,” she said during a media preview of the Resipi Nusantara Asian Buffet Ramadan on Thursday.

She also highlighted that the event introduces a farm-to-table approach, with ingredients sourced directly from local suppliers to ensure freshness and support rural entrepreneurs.

“When visitors dine here, it benefits not only the SICC but also local farmers and suppliers.

“We require large quantities of staples such as rice, seafood, vegetables, and more. As a result, both directly and indirectly, they benefit economically,” she added.

Rosmawati further explained that surplus food is managed systematically to minimise waste.

“Effective waste management enables us to earn recognition from the Asia Book of Records for maintaining an exceptionally low level of wastage,” she said.

Meanwhile, Chef Muhammad Hussin, specialising in Malay cuisine, mentioned that the preparation of 850 dishes involved meticulous planning over approximately four months, with the kitchen team beginning preparations as early as 2 a.m. each day.

“For the Malay dishes alone, we have seven chefs working tirelessly. Overall, more than 40 chefs are involved, including those specialising in Western and Chinese cuisine.

“It’s certainly a challenge, but we undertake it with full dedication,” he explained.

During the event, Rosmawati also presented donations to 88 tahfiz students from Akademi Tahfiz An Nuur, Pusat Tahfiz Al-Mubarak, and Madrasah Darul Hadis Darsa.