PROVIDING a fulfilling gastronomic experience goes beyond simply setting up shop; it involves the whole gamut of food service – from driving innovation to elevating industry standards.
Committed to nurturing a strong pipeline of future-ready culinary talent for Malaysia’s growing food service industry, Nestlé Professional Malaysia and Sunway University recently formalised a strategic collaboration through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
The partnership, anchored in Nestlé Professional’s Young Culinary Talents (Yocuta) programme, will see students benefiting from expert-led masterclasses, live culinary demonstrations, industry workshops, structured internships and mentorship opportunities delivered jointly by Sunway University and Nestlé Professional’s chef network.
Nestlé Professional Malaysia and Singapore business executive officer Yit Woon Lai said the collaboration underscores the value of strong industry-academia partnerships in nurturing future culinary professionals.
“Through Yocuta, we aim to support young culinary talents by strengthening both their theoretical foundation and practical, real-world kitchen skills, helping them transition more confidently from the classroom into professional careers.
“This collaboration with Sunway University enables us to contribute industry expertise, mentorship and exposure that complement academic learning, while supporting the long-term sustainability of the food service sector,” she said in a Feb 6 press release.
The Yocuta programme, part of Nestlé Professional’s Culinary Excellence Framework, is a global creating shared value initiative under the Nestlé Needs YOUth ambition to expand economic opportunities for 10 million young people.
Implemented across multiple countries, it strengthens culinary and food service capabilities while nurturing creativity, professionalism and innovation.
Signing the MoU at the ceremony, which took place at Sunway University on Jan 27, were Sunway University president Prof Sibrandes Poppema and Yit.
Also present at the event were Sunway Education Group chief executive officer Prof Datuk Dr Elizabeth Lee, Sunway University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management dean Prof Dr Daniel Chong Ka Leong, Nestlé Professional regional HR head Corinna Cheang and Nestlé Professional Malaysia food business manager Tazeen Shehryar.
