PUTRAJAYA: The iCHEF 2017, held in conjunction with the Putrajaya Food and Cultural Exchange Festival kicked with a bang today at the Dataran Putrajaya - with 4,235 local and international chefs gathered in the administrative capital, breaking the world record for the world's largest gathering of chefs.
The previous achievement in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest gathering of chefs was in Mexico, with 3,634 chefs.
The announcement was made by Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor during the official launch of iCHEF 2017 here this evening.
"I'm told that we have managed to gather more than 4,000 chefs from inside and outside the country, who participated in iCHEF 2017. This event has been certified by the Malaysia Book of Records as the largest gathering of chefs in this country, as well as in the world," Tengku Adnan told reporters.
Earlier, his wife Datin Seri Anggraini Sentiyaki, who is also the chairman of Badan Amal Kasih Ibu Wilayah Persekutuan, handed out financial aid to 500 senior citizens and single mothers as part of the food festival's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme.
"This is my way of giving back to the society and those who have supported my husband and I," she said.
Good food aside, the fun-filled food and culture extravaganza, which runs from 7.30am to 11pm for three consecutive days, also feature Malaysian traditional music, dance and pop culture.
Celebrity chefs Datuk Fazley Yaacob, Zubir Zain and Papa Jo, radio DJ Linda Onn, TV host Maznah Zolkifli, fimmaker Raja Azmi, actor/rapper Cat Farish and pop star Ezyln also made special appearances at the event.
Jointly organised by Badan Amal Kasih Ibu Wilayah Persekutuan and Perbadanan Putrajaya, the Putrajaya International Food and Cultural Exchange Festival is supported by the Federal Territories Ministry and the Culture and Tourism Ministry.
Entrance to the festival is free.