2026-5-26

On April 10, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a flag handover ceremony for a team from the Taiwan Chefs Association before they departed for Malaysia to take part in the Sarawak “Perpauduan” Culinary Challenge from April 13 to 17. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ger Baushuan presented the national flag to team leader Lee Yi-lee. 

Speaking at the event, Ger said that Taiwan boasted a richly diverse culinary culture. He expressed hope that the team would make Taiwan proud through their creative skills and embody the spirit of everyone being a diplomat. Ger also wished the competitors success in Malaysia. 

In his remarks, Taiwan Chefs Association President Wang Chi-wen thanked MOFA for its support. He stressed that the team was committed to its mission of promoting gastrodiplomacy and would do its best to win glory and shine for Taiwan on the international stage.

The Sarawak “Perpauduan” Culinary Challenge is an international competition certified by the World Association of Chefs’ Societies. The Taiwan Chefs Association will be among teams representing six countries at the contest. The national team will promote Taiwanese food on the world stage in a display of culinary soft power. MOFA will continue to help NGOs take part in international exchanges to raise Taiwan’s global profile.