OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PENANG INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL 2022
SPEECH BY YAB CHOW KON YEOW
THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PENANG INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL 2022
20 AUGUST 2022
DESIGN VILLAGE OUTLET MALL
YB Yeoh Soon Hin
Penang State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy
Distinguished Guests
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen
First and foremost, I would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone attending the Penang International Food Festival 2022. It is wonderful to have all of you here today, and I thank you for making the time to join us.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Penang may be listed as one of the world's top holiday destinations, but it is our distinct street food culture that gives us the advantage. Penang offers visitors a rich and varied multicultural cuisine, enlivened by many Asian influences and inspired by its history as a trading post. Many of our hawker dishes originate from the food cultures of different migrant groups who settled in Penang centuries ago, and recipes are passed down through generations.
Today, our cuisine is consistently regarded among the best in the world, with Penang's assam laksa ranking seventh on CNN World's 50 Best Foods list, and char koay teow and nasi kandar were named among the Top 50 World Street Food Masters.
Understanding that a vibrant, thriving economy is critical to Penang's future prosperity, the Penang State Government is working tirelessly to steer our state toward an economic revival following two challenging years. On that note, I would like to acknowledge the Festival's contribution to the Penang2030 vision, which aims to ensure that all development plans are carried out collectively without sidelining any area of the island and Seberang Perai.
I am certain that the Festival will attract more visitors to discover Penang’s famous and authentic street food that cannot be found anywhere else, and along the way, contribute to Seberang Perai’s local economy while they discover Seberang Perai’s tourist attractions and hidden holiday gems.
Additionally, food is an essential component in family-building, which is one of the primary policies of the Penang2030 vision. Family-focused means that, apart from being people-centric, the State Government is aware that our family is central to our daily lives. Through food-related festivals such as the PIFF 2022, I am glad that families can spend quality time together and strengthen their bonds.
More importantly, the Festival also supports the recently launched ‘LovePenang’ state slogan, which serves as a simple yet strong mantra to foster a unified sense of community across Penang. Food has the power to bring people together since the beginning of time, it is how we make friends, nurture relationships, celebrate milestones, and so much more.
The Festival has succeeded in bridging unity, by offering a shared space for communities to come together and feel the love and pride for Penang, while showcasing Penang’s amazing street food to the world. I am confident that everyone in the crowd today is extremely proud of our world-renowned food heritage and culture.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Penang International Food Festival will take place from today to August 28 across various locales on the mainland and island, featuring 2 major events, 6 mini festivals and 3 cooking classes. The Street Food Festival is the opening event of the PIFF 2022, and I hope you’re all here with your entire family for what promises to be an Instagram-worthy foodie event for everyone. Finally, be sure to check out the PIFF 2022 calendar to plan your great food and travel adventures in a destination touted by Condé Nast Traveler as ‘Asia's Next Great Foodie City’.
With that, I would like to wish you all a wonderful time and hereby officially launch the Penang International Food Festival 2022.
LovePenang & Love our food!
Thank you.