PENANG has always been a favourite destination for a wholesome hawker food experience.
Little wonder, then, that its best hawker food stalls were given due recognition during the ‘LovePENANG Street Food Competition 2022’ prize-giving ceremony in Komtar today.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was the guest of honour at the event, said the competition was the continuation of the ‘LovePenang campaign’, which was intended to instil the spirit of unity through various community-based activities.
“The ‘LovePENANG Street Food Competition 2022’ was among the initiatives undertaken to promote Penang as the capital city of best street food which is original and unique.
“And its variety of food makes it synonymous with the term, ‘food paradise’.
“Recently, Penang had also received Michelin’s recognition (Michelin Guide) which reflects Penang’s multicultural uniqueness in the world of gastronomy,” Chow said during his speech at the ceremony.
Chow said the competition saw the participation of some 1,600 stalls for a total of 21 food categories, namely char koay teow, nasi kandar, mee sotong, laksa and many others.
He said the competition, which was launched on Sept 20, 2022, took place for two months until the end of November 2022.
“Each category has three respective winners, who are entitled to receive RM5,000 for 1st prize, RM3,000 for the second prize and RM1,000 for the third prize.
“I hope that the recognition would motivate the winners to achieve greater heights.
“As we celebrate the LovePENANG campaign with various programmes and initiatives, the state government also hopes that it will open a new chapter for the people of Penang to rise and build a harmonious and resilient society while preserving our culture, heritage and identity.
“Finally, I would like to once again congratulate the winners and everyone involved in making the event a success,” Chow added.
It is learned that the customers were encouraged to vote for their favourite stalls using the QR code given to the respective stalls for the competition.
More than 260,000 votes were received by the organiser from more than 120,000 voters.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat