The 28th MAGGI® Secondary School Cooking Competition (MSSCC) just wrapped up with a record-breaking grand finale, proving that culinary talent is absolutely flourishing outside the classroom. Partnering with the Ministry of Education Malaysia, this year saw a massive 50% jump in entries, with an impressive 2,044 students aged 13–17 battling it out!
The theme for the finale? Dari Negeri ke Pentas Dunia (From State to the World Stage). And trust us, these teens delivered global-level flavors!
Beyond Recipes: Nurturing The Next Generation of Cooks
This year, for the first time, the competition welcomed Form 4 and Form 5 students, giving more young talents a shot to show off their skills, learn about balanced diets, and express their passion.
Ms. Ivy Tan Link Cheh, Business Executive Officer of MAGGI® Malaysia and Singapore, was seriously inspired: “Knowing that more than 350,000 students have explored their creativity and passion in the kitchen over the past 28 years is truly inspiring for all of us at MAGGI®.”
This competition is more than just cooking; it’s about giving students essential life skills like teamwork, creativity, and perseverance, the ultimate building blocks for success.
The Champions’ Dish: French Cuisine Meets Malaysian Percik!
After a rigorous selection process based on creativity, taste, presentation, and nutritional balance, five national winners emerged. But only one team took the crown.
The 2025 MSSCC champions are Muhammad Adiy Naufal Bin Muhammad Hazrul and Nur Muslihah Najwa Binti Hamizan from SMK Seri Bemban, Melaka.
What was their winning dish? They served up Grilled Duck with MAGGI® Percik ala Thai Sauce with Salsa Mango served with Garlic Bread.
“We cooked… a menu inspired from famous French cuisine, Duck L’Orange,” the Melaka champs shared. “In line with the theme, Dari Negeri ke Pentas Dunia, MSSCC gave us the chance to explore modern cooking… whilst preserving flavour. The competition helped us appreciate the richness of Malaysian food culture even more.”
They were praised by Chef Sharifah from MAGGI® for elevating their home state dish while perfectly preserving its essence and keeping it nutritionally balanced, adhering to the Quarter-Quarter-Half principle from the Malaysian Healthy Plate.
Runners-Up Served Up Sushi Style
Coming in second place were Dhiya Hanis Syamimi Binti Faizatu Afkhma and Nur Atiqah Elisya Binti Zulfatihi from SMK Sultan Yahya Petra 1, Kelantan.
They celebrated their heritage with Sushi Itik Percik with Sos Hijau.
“For MSSCC, we wanted to celebrate our heritage while making the dish healthier—keeping the key flavours but using methods like grilling using air fryer instead of frying and adding more vegetables,” they explained.
More Than Just A Competition
The event also included a new initiative from the Nestlé For Healthier Kids programme, which featured an interactive cooking demo for parents, giving them practical tips for making quick and balanced meals at home.
It’s clear that these young cooks are not just learning recipes; they’re gaining confidence and shaping the future of Malaysia’s rich and diverse food culture.
Want to see the amazing dishes and learn more? Check out the MAGGI® MSSCC 2025 website.