Malaysia uses UNESCO-listed breakfast culture to deepen ties with Zimbabwe

Ivan Zhakata

Herald Correspondent

Malaysia and Zimbabwe are strengthening bilateral relations through culinary diplomacy, with the Embassy of the Asian state hosting the inaugural Malaysian Breakfast Culture: Cooking Demonstration 2026 at the Culinary Arts Academy in Harare.

The event showcased Malaysia’s breakfast culture, which was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2024, while promoting tourism, education and cultural exchange between the two countries.

Speaking at the event, Malaysia’s Chargé d’Affaires, Mr Aniff Fauzi, said the UNESCO recognition highlighted the cultural significance of Malaysia’s breakfast traditions.

“In 2024, UNESCO inscribed Malaysian breakfast culture as one of the Intangible Cultural Heritage,” he said.

Mr Fauzi said the embassy has adopted a hands-on approach, allowing students to prepare authentic Malaysian dishes under the guidance of a Malaysian chef.

“For the first time in the history of our embassy, you are going to prepare, and you are going to cook. I am going to taste your masterpiece after this cooking demonstration,” he said.

Students learnt to prepare Malaysia’s signature dish Nasi Lemak, served with Ayam Goreng Berempah (spiced fried chicken), as well as Kuih Serabai, a traditional sweet pancake. They also sampled beverages including Teh Tarik, pulled tea lemonade and rose sirap.

Mr Fauzi said the event also complemented Visit Malaysia Year 2026, encouraging Zimbabwean students and hospitality professionals to consider Malaysia for tourism and culinary education.

Culinary Arts Academy director, Mr Tinotenda Moyo, said the initiative provided invaluable practical exposure to international cuisines.

“Our students learn about cuisines from textbooks, but programmes like this allow them to experience the dishes, ingredients and techniques first-hand,” he said.

Mr Moyo said international culinary exchanges would also inspire students to elevate Zimbabwean cuisine by showcasing indigenous dishes with authentic stories to the world.

“Our challenge is to put Zimbabwean traditional cuisine on the global map. Learning from other countries gives our students the confidence to innovate while preserving our own culinary heritage,” he said.

The Malaysian Embassy said it hopes to make the cooking demonstration an annual event as part of its broader cultural diplomacy programme aimed at strengthening people-to-people relations between Malaysia and Zimbabwe.