QIU’s Culinary Arts team brought its A-game to Battle of the Chefs 2026, with every participating student and academic returning with an award after putting their culinary skills to the test against competitors from across the region.
From gold and silver to bronze and diploma awards, the results showcase the team’s technical ability, creativity and commitment to the craft, while reflecting QIU’s emphasis on hands-on learning and preparing students for the demands of the culinary industry.
Held at Setia SPICE Arena, Penang, the 20th edition of Battle of the Chefs brought together more than 2,000 competitors and over 100 certified culinary judges from around the world. The Worldchefs-endorsed competition provided a platform for emerging talent and experienced professionals to demonstrate their technical expertise, creativity and presentation skills.
QIU’s participants, from our Culinary Arts programmes, faced competition from universities and institutions across the region, including Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Taiwan’s National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Thailand’s Suratthani Rajabhat University, Sunway University and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).
The competition also brought QIU’s representatives alongside established culinary organisations, including the Saigon Professional Chefs Guild, the Taiwan Chefs Association and the Association of Culinary Professionals Indonesia, highlighting the breadth of regional talent and professional expertise represented at the event.
Here are the results recorded for QIU’s team:
| Participant | Competition Category | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Khoo Dak Yi | CH18: Main Course IV – Seabass by GST Group | Gold |
| Mena Lokshini A/P Karpuram | CH15: Main Course I – Kewpie Chicken Main Course | Silver |
| Melanie Wong Mae Yan | CH15: Main Course I – Kewpie Chicken Main Course | Silver |
| Kalischne A/P Gunalan | M30: Main Course II – Aussie Beef | Bronze |
| Lau Pei San | CH15: Main Course I – Kewpie Chicken Main Course | Bronze |
| Calvin Kumar A/L Rajendran | GH19: Main Course V – Duck | Diploma |
| Sophia Leanna Raj | GH30: Plated Dessert (Asian/Continental) | Diploma |
| Noor Asneeda Ishak | M29: Main Course I – Kewpie Chicken Main Course | Diploma |
| Nur Ain Nabila | M32: Main Course IV – Fish or Seafood | Diploma |
| Muhammad Irwin Shah | M08: Lesaffre Bread Creation | Diploma |
The achievement continues QIU’s strong record in competitive culinary events. In 2025, all eight of the University’s representatives at the Food and Hospitality Malaysia (FHM) Culinaire Competition also returned with awards, reinforcing the University’s growing reputation for nurturing culinary talent.
In 2019, QIU chefs won eight awards. That success was followed in 2022, when QIU continued its winning streak by bagging seven awards, further cementing its reputation as a hub for culinary talent. In total, our tally stands at a proud 33 awards!
Beyond the accolades, competitions such as Battle of the Chefs give students valuable opportunities to apply what they learn in practical settings, develop confidence under pressure and benchmark their abilities against peers and experienced professionals. These experiences help bridge the gap between classroom learning and the expectations of the culinary industry.
QIU congratulates its Culinary Arts students and academics on their achievements, which reflect the University’s commitment to experiential learning and preparing graduates with the practical skills, creativity and confidence to excel in their chosen fields.
