ISKANDAR PUTERI: Coffee lovers are enjoying a wide range of choices in one of the world’s most famous drinks at the Bean & Bite Festival 2025.
Organised by Eco World Development Group Bhd (EcoWorld), the event features over 50 curated booths.
The booths feature artisan coffee brewers, bakers, dessert makers, and start-ups from Malaysia and Singapore.
There is no better way to enjoy the drink served in many forms, such as espresso, drip, or iced coffee, than having it with an assortment of pastries.
The Bean & Bite Festival 2025 is taking place from Sept 13 to Sept 16, at Eco Galleria, Iskandar Puteri. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
"Bean & Bite Festival is not just about coffee and cakes, it’s about creating a space where passion meets community," said EcoWorld Southern Region Divisional general manager Phan Yan Chan.
He said that by hosting Johor Baru’s first ever artisan coffee and pastry festival, the company is bringing together talented artisans, passionate food lovers, and families in one vibrant space.
"Going forward, we hope to make it an annual event in line with our vision of making Eco Botanic City a true lifestyle and cultural destination,” said Phan.
Singapore’s Annabella Patisserie senior sales manager Teh Lee Sin said the company is excited to take part in the festival.
"The event gives us the opportunity to reach out to Malaysian consumers by promoting our products to them," he said in an interview.
Teh, 31, said many Malaysians also patronise the company’s two outlets in the republic.
The outlets are located at Compass One and Causeway Point.
"Our macarons remain the best-selling products with rose, Earl Grey tea, chocolate, cotton candy and sea salt caramel being sought-after by consumers," he said.
Singapore's Annabella Patisserie senior sales manager Teh Lee Sin says the event gives them the opportunity to reach out Malaysian customers.
Husband-and-wife team Lim Chuan Hao and Raisa Chong said it is only appropriate for them to take part as they own The Atlas Bakery at EcoGalleria where the event is taking place.
"The event is a good platform to introduce our products, hoping to attract more regulars and loyal customers to our bakery hereafter," said its co-founder Chong, 37.
Lim, 38, who is also the co-founder, said they have been involved in the pastry business for 10 years and opening the bakery was a bold step.
He added that the food and beverage segment offered good business opportunities.
"Customers nowadays are willing to pay to enjoy a good cup of coffee or freshly baked pastries," he said.
On the other hand, The Kettle Gourmet is banking on the ever-popular popcorns, corn sticks and brownies crisps with local flavour twists to attract customers.
Its Malaysia country manager Leon Chan, 36, said the company’s popcorns with nasi lemak, pulut hitam and kaya butter toast have been selling well in the market.
"The company was started in Singapore in 2019, and the owner decided to open a plant in Shah Alam, Selangor in Jan last year," he said.
Chan said the company’s brownies crips with pisang goreng, apam balik and chocolate chip flavours, as well as corn sticks with cheese, BBQ, original and roasted corn flavours, were also popular with customers.
The Bean & Bite Festival 2025 runs from Sept 13 to Sept 16.
The event runs from 12pm to 10pm at Eco Galleria, Iskandar Puteri.
For more information, visit Eco Galleria at Iskandar Malaysia Facebook Page (
www.facebook.com/EcoGalleria)
