The heat was on and creativity was unleashed. On 4 and 5 October 2025, over 24 home cooks from across Malaysia gathered at IKEA Cheras, IKEA Tebrau and IKEA Batu Kawan to battle it out in the Ultimate Cook-Off, as part of the month-long IKEA House Party celebration.
Contestants went head-to-head in exciting timed rounds, judged by a panel of celebrity chefs including Anis Nabilah, Ceddy, Qi Razali and Sean Lee alongside IKEA Malaysia’s own Chef and cooking experts. With energy, creativity and true home-cooking spirit, three teams rose above the rest.
The contestants were scored on creativity, teamwork, cooking technique, and time management with judges assessing both taste and presentation. Participants faced a series of exciting culinary challenges: recreating the IKEA-inspired SJÖRAPPORT Eggs Benedict, reinventing the brand’s iconic Swedish meatballs, then tackling a high-stakes Mystery Box challenge that blended Swedish and Malaysian flavours.
Each winning duo received a RM10,000 IKEA kitchen makeover, a transformation of their cooking space that turns dreams into everyday reality.
Meet The Ultimate Cook-Off Champions
From Rivalry to Victory
Once rivals in another cooking challenge, the duo joined forces at the IKEA Ultimate Cook-Off after one of them spotted the event poster and tagged the other to join. Their unlikely partnership quickly stood out in the competition with their strong teamwork and genuine sense of fun. From transforming IKEA iconic meatballs into Satay Lilit, an Indonesian-inspired dish, to their final creation, Bunga Kantan Pasta, their creativity and flavour balance wowed the judges. Their victory earned them the RM10,000 IKEA kitchen makeover, which they happily split evenly.
When asked about how they shared the prize, Aziatul laughed, saying, “That was the easy part! We both agreed right away to split it equally. The funny thing is, we ended up wanting the same things for our homes, which is a kitchen island and new kitchen cabinets. It’s like we’re still in sync even after the competition. We can’t wait to bring a little piece of IKEA into our kitchens.”
The hallmark of true friendship
A friendship forged in the kitchen, Linnox and Tamilmaaran have been cooking side by side for years. From small gatherings to wedding events serving over 200 guests, the duo teamed up once again for the IKEA Ultimate Cook-Off, bringing their signature teamwork and shared passion for food to the competition floor.
Their final dish, Pan-Fried Herb-Crusted Salmon impressed the judges with its balance of Swedish and local flavours. But what truly stood out was their friendship. When they were announced as winners, Tamilmaaran insisted that Linnox take the entire RM10,000 kitchen makeover for his new home.
When asked about the decision, Linnox shared, “I just got the keys to my new home recently, and honestly, I wasn’t planning to start renovations anytime soon. So I was really grateful when Tamil said he wanted me to have the full prize. We both agreed that the next time there’s a competition, it’ll be his turn to take home the prize.
Pearly Lim Pei Li & Teh Boon Soon
Culinary courage beyond comfort zones
The husband-and-wife charmed both the judges and audience with their wit, teamwork, and creativity. Competing under the name Soup-ernatural Flavour Chasers, inspired by their shared love for making soups at home, the couple set the stage ablaze with two inventive fusion dishes that combined Swedish staples with local favourites.
In the semi-finals, they prepared Swedish Meatballs with Satay Sauce and Potato Croquettes, while in the finals, they wowed the judges with a Pan-Seared Salmon served with Asam Pedas-inspired Sauce, featuring IKEA signature lingonberry jam for a subtle sweet finish.
When asked about the experience, Pearly shared, “We didn’t expect to win at all. We came up with our name because we only ever cook soups at home! But this competition really pushed us out of our comfort zone. From using lingonberry in asam pedas to frying salmon for the first time, it was a wild ride. Now, we can finally build the kitchen we’ve always dreamed of.
Malcolm Pruys, Country Retail Director of IKEA Malaysia said, “This campaign truly reflects our mission to make life at home better through smart, affordable, and democratic design. From clever storage solutions that help reduce food waste to tools that make cooking easier, plus modular kitchens that suit every home we prove that your dream kitchen doesn’t have to come with a dream price tag. The Ultimate Cook-Off captured this spirit perfectly and it was about great food, great company, and celebrating the heart of every home: the kitchen.”
Between 13 September and 5 October, IKEA Malaysia hosted a series of fun weekend activities inspiring everyone to rediscover the joy of life at home. Highlights included SMÖL Stage Sundays with live coffee sessions and local DJs, SMÖRGÅS for Starters workshops teaching how to elevate your dining space and craft the perfect Swedish meatball, and Kitchen Confessions with Maggy Wang, a live podcast diving into what food and home truly mean. These open-to-all activities showcased IKEA Malaysia’s belief that staying at home can be affordable, enjoyable, and delectable.
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