A close-up of the cookbook cover.
A SUSTAINABILITY-focused cookbook developed by the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health (SCPH) has earned acclaim at the 2025 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Lisbon, Portugal.
Planet Saving Meals won second place in the Hospitality School Cookbook category after having stood out from over hundreds of global entries.
Its winning factor was its focus on plant-based cuisine and environmental consciousness.
(Left) Soon’s friend and photographer Lum Thien Chow received the award on the chef’s behalf at the 2025 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Lisbon.
Created in collaboration with the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Sunway University, the book has been compiled from 60 crowd-sourced and curated vegetarian recipes from cultures around the world.
Each recipe has been designed to be climate-conscious, meat-free and rooted in cultural heritage.
The book was officially launched during the 2024 Planetary Health Annual Meeting at Sunway University, Malaysia, where over 1,500 global delegates gathered to explore solutions for a more sustainable future.
The event was led by SCPH executive director Prof Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood and the then communications manager Nur Hazirah Marzuki.
Planet Saving Meals was brought to life by chef Soon Pau Voon and illustrator Cheang Sweetie.
Soon contributed his culinary expertise while Cheang’s hand-drawn artwork gave the book its distinctive visual charm.
“This is not just a cookbook, it’s a call to action.
“It’s about how we eat, how we live and how we share our cultures in a way that supports the health of our planet,” said Prof Jemilah.
“We have collaborated with SCPH from its establishment in bringing to the public alternative meals replacing meat with healthier non-meat options that are good for health as well as the planet,” said Soon.
The cookbook has been designed for the health- conscious and seeks to align their dietary choices with the well-being of the planet.
Written to make cooking easy and enjoyable, it is also meant for novice cooks who are eager to make a difference.
“Food is a universal language,” said Nur Hazirah.
“With Planet Saving Meals, we show that sustainable eating can be delicious, inclusive and respectful of traditions around the world.”
The Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, often referred to as the “Oscars of the cookbook world”, recognise excellence in food writing and publishing.
The win amplifies Malaysia’s voice and marks the country’s growing leadership in urgent global conversations around food systems, sustainability and cultural resilience.
