KOTA KINABALU: May 1, 2026
The Signature Food Fest is making a comeback after a nine-year hiatus, aiming to elevate Sabah’s culinary, tourism and lifestyle industries.
Organising chairman Alfred Allen Ginsos said the revival aligns with the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.
He said the festival, which debuted in 2014 and last ran in 2017, will return with its fifth edition to enhance industry collaboration and tourism integration.
He added that the original judging framework will be maintained as it serves to showcase Sabah’s culinary and creative sectors.
The festival will feature a judging panel comprising Datuk Gordon Leong, Rory Richardson, Adjunct Prof Jessie Jong, and Suzanne and Dennis of TVSabah.
This year’s edition will also collaborate with So Good Flea Market at Riverson – The Walk, integrating culinary tourism with creative craft, local entrepreneurship and cultural promotion.
The main showcase will take place from May 1 to 3 at Riverson – The Walk, featuring signature dishes, live performances and family-friendly activities, including a Kids Zone sponsored by The V by Jesselton International.
Throughout May, participating establishments will run signature menu promotions alongside official food judging and fringe events, culminating in a grand awards night on June 5 at Grandis Hotels & Resorts.
A total of 16 establishments will take part this year, making it the largest edition in the festival’s history, spanning categories such as bistro, café, hotel and restaurant.
The event will also feature a “Dine, Win and Vote” campaign, encouraging public participation through stamp collection and lucky draw entries, with 10,000 forms to be distributed.
Among the awards to be presented are Best Signature Menu, Best Dining Experience, Culinary Tourism Ambassador Award and the TSFF Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising excellence across the hospitality and culinary sectors.
The organisers expressed appreciation to key partners including Sabah Tourism Board, Sri Pelancongan Sabah and TVSabah for their support in promoting Sabah’s tourism and gastronomy.
Held in conjunction with the Kaamatan season, the festival is expected to draw food lovers, families and tourists, offering a platform to celebrate Sabah’s rich culinary heritage and community spirit.
