World Top Gourmet Awards (WTGA) has kicked off its 7th edition with a new trophy design and will host for the first time in the culinary capital of Guangzhou, China – a city renowned for its deep-rooted food heritage and international gastronomic appeal.
This will be the Malaysian home-grown brand’s first hosting outside of the country, marking a bold step forward for global culinary recognition.
World Top Gourmet Awards founder and president Dr Peggy Chong announced the expansion during a press conference at Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur Hotel on August 7, 2025.
“Food is a language that transcends borders. By hosting the World Top Gourmet Awards in Guangzhou, we’re not only recognizing excellence but also deepening the cultural and culinary ties between China and Malaysia.
“This year’s awards support our long-term vision of using gastronomy as a platform for cultural diplomacy, tourism promotion, and economic cooperation,” she said.
WTGA 2025 will take place at Shangri-La Hotel, Guangzhou in China on November 20, 2025, featuring a morning World Gourmet Exchange Summit and an evening Gala Awards Ceremony.
This exclusive evening will bring together over 800 industry leaders from across Asia and beyond, where Master chefs, government officials, restaurateurs, hospitality leaders, media and industry influencers will gather for idea exchange, industry networking and celebration of gastronomic excellence.
Also present at the event were Tourism Malaysia Central Region director Sufian Zainuddin, who represented Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, and World Gourmet Chef of Honour, the legendary Adjunct Prof Datuk Chef Wan.
The press conference also marked the official unveiling of the newly designed WTGA trophy, the appointment of Master Chef Justin Hor as World Gourmet Ambassador 2025 and alignment with Visit Malaysia 2026.
WTGA 2025 aims to elevate cross-border collaboration in the food, hospitality, and tourism sectors, while supporting Malaysia’s flagship tourism campaign: Visit Malaysia 2026 (VMY2026).
The theme of this year’s awards emphasizes cross-border collaboration through gastronomy, celebrating the unifying power of food in bridging cultures and strengthening international relationships.
As a strategic move to expand WTGA’s impact beyond Malaysian borders, hosting the event in Guangzhou demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering dialogue between China, Malaysia, and the broader Asian and global culinary community.
In his speech, Manoharan highlighted the importance of culinary events like WTGA in positioning Malaysia as a food tourism destination.
“Food is Malaysia’s soft power. Through initiatives like the World Top Gourmet Awards, we showcase not just our cuisine, but the warm, multicultural spirit of Malaysia.
“As we look forward to Visit Malaysia 2026, we welcome more collaborations like this that elevate Malaysia on the world stage,” he said.
The newly designed WTGA trophy reflects not only culinary excellence but also resilience and creativity, honouring organizations and individuals who have raised the standards of the F&B and tourism sectors.
Master Chef Justin Hor is known for his mastery in Malaysian-Chinese cuisine and commitment to culinary excellence. As the official World Gourmet Ambassador 2025, Hor will lead outreach and culinary diplomacy initiatives in conjunction with WTGA and Visit Malaysia 2026.
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