Supporting & Boosting Sabah Tourism Through Gastronomic Experiences

By FAVSTYLE Editorial Kota Kinabalu, Sabah | 22 January 2026

In a city where sunsets melt into the sea and flavours tell stories older than time, gastronomy has become one of Sabah’s most compelling cultural ambassadors. Strengthening this narrative, MediaCraft Marketing, organiser of The Signature Food Fest (TSFF), recently paid a courtesy visit to the Chief Executive Officer of Sabah Tourism Board, Julinus Jimit, reaffirming a shared vision to position Sabah as a must-visit gastronomic destination in Southeast Asia.

Leading the visit was Alfred Allen Ginsos, Project Director of The Signature Food Fest and Editor-in-Chief of FAVSTYLE Magazine, together with a collective of industry voices shaping Sabah’s evolving food landscape. Among them were Adjunct Professor Jessie Jong Chung Jin (A.S.D.K), TSFF SME Advisor; Mr Rory Richardson, Permanent Judge of TSFF; Mr Erick Teh, Regional Manager (East Malaysia) of Kitchen Shop and Gold Sponsor of TSFF; as well as Mr Andrew Lee CK and Ms Lainie Lamau, Co-Founder of Urban Tamu and Founder of So Good Market respectively, who serve as TSFF Venue Co-Organisers.

"A Festival That Tells Sabah’s Story Through Taste"

During the meeting, the TSFF team presented the framework, vision, and execution strategy for The Signature Food Fest 2026, marking its milestone 5th edition. More than a food festival, TSFF has grown into a cultural platform celebrating Sabah’s culinary identity. It champions local chefs, restaurateurs, and food entrepreneurs while inviting travellers to experience Sabah not just as a destination, but as a journey of flavours, textures, and heritage.

From street-born inspirations to refined restaurant signatures, TSFF curates experiences that connect food with place. Each dish becomes a storyteller, each venue a chapter in Sabah’s living culinary atlas.
The Signature Food Fest 2026: Dates to Know

Press Conference
29 April 2026
E West Restaurant

Signature Showcase (Opening Weekend)
1 – 3 May 2026
Riverson The Walk
An energetic opening featuring interactive activities, public games, and lucky draws designed to engage both locals and visitors.

Official Opening Ceremony
2 May 2026 | 2.00 PM
The organiser has extended an invitation to the CEO of Sabah Tourism Board to officiate the event as Guest of Honour.

Running from 1 to 31 May 2026, TSFF 2026 will span 31 days of dining discovery. A total of 10,000 copies of The Signature Food Fest Booklet Guide will be printed and distributed, inviting the public to explore signature dishes across participating outlets and take part in the Dine, Win & Vote campaign.

Throughout the festival, appointed judges will visit participating venues to evaluate signature dishes on-site. The celebration culminates in the Signature Awards Night on 5 June 2026 at Grandis Hotels & Resorts, where more than 17 Signature Awards will be presented.
A Collective Celebration of Culinary Excellence

The 5th edition of TSFF will feature over 20 confirmed participants across four categories:

Restaurant
Bistro
Café
Hotel

With TVSabah as the Official Digital TV Partner providing comprehensive coverage, and FAVSTYLE Magazine as the Official Print and Digital Magazine, the festival’s reach extends beyond dining tables into homes, screens, and international audiences.

As Sabah continues to attract travellers seeking authentic, experience-led tourism, The Signature Food Fest stands as a shining example of how gastronomy can elevate destination branding. Here, food is not just consumed. It is celebrated, shared, and remembered.

For updates on activities, lucky draws, sponsors, participating restaurants, and the Dine, Win & Vote campaign, visit:
www.signaturefoodfest.com | www.hellofavstyle.com