The inaugural Kita Food Festival will be held in Kota Kinabalu from
8–10 November, showcasing some of Southeast Asia’s top culinary talent
and local produce. The event, supported by Sabah Tourism, celebrates the
region’s rich culinary heritage with a focus on sustainability and
innovation.
The festival will begin with a cocktail party at ON23 Sky Bar, Hyatt
Centric Kota Kinabalu, featuring local bartenders creating unique
cocktails using Sabah’s endemic ingredients.
Highlights include Four-Hands Dining Experiences, such as a brunch
with Linn Yong from Limau and Linen (Kota Kinabalu) and Ray Adriansyah
of Locavore NXT (Bali), and a collaborative dinner featuring Raphael Jay
Peter Lee (OITOM, Kota Kinabalu) and Aidan Low (Akar Dining, Kuala
Lumpur).
A Big Sunday Barbecue will cap off the weekend, featuring celebrated
chefs Oliver Truesdale Jutras, Johnson Wong, Sidney Disimon Suchart, Ho
Jun Yip, and Oliver Regis Hinson, each presenting their interpretations
of grilled dishes using local ingredients.
Julinus Jimit, CEO of Sabah Tourism Board, noted, “Through Kita Food
Festival, we aim to celebrate and elevate Sabah’s proudly local
ingredients, showcasing not only the depth of flavours that our land
provides but also the incredible stories of the people behind them.”
The event also includes a mini-symposium on the future of food and
sustainability, featuring presentations by notable culinary figures such
as Oliver Truesdale Jutras and Darren Teoh.
Tickets go on sale on 4 October. The event will take place at various
venues, with Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu serving as the official hotel
partner.