Cultivating Global Culinary Palates: Taylor’s Chef Farouk Shares Asian Gastronomy and Expertise in Mexico

Taylor’s Culinary Institute proudly celebrates the achievement of its award-winning Chef Farouk Othman, who was honoured with an appointment as Guest Professor at Universidad Panamericana, Campus Aguascalientes, Mexico. The institution is ranked among the top 25 universities in Latin America and recognised as the second-best private university in the region; Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and Times Higher Education (THE). Invited by Universidad Panamericana, Chef Farouk led an Asian Gastronomy module as part of the university’s International Summer Programme for sixth-semester students pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Business Management.

This prestigious engagement aimed to advance intercultural learning through culinary education by introducing students to the historical, cultural, and technical dimensions that define Asia’s rich and diverse gastronomic landscape. Across fourteen intensive sessions, students engaged in hands-on kitchen practice, theoretical discussions, and interactive tastings, offering them first-hand insight into a wide array of regional Asian cuisines.

The module featured both traditional and contemporary dishes from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, India, Vietnam, and beyond. Signature creations included Seafood Curry Laksa, Roti Canai with Dhall Curry, Kaya Toast, Nasi Lemak, Roti John, Japanese Teriyaki, and Orh Jian (Oyster Omelette), alongside over twenty other recipes representing Asia’s culinary diversity. The course placed particular emphasis on the balance of flavours, the use of indigenous ingredients, and the culinary philosophies that underpin Asian gastronomy.

Throughout the programme, students displayed remarkable enthusiasm, curiosity, and appreciation for new culinary perspectives. The initiative not only strengthened academic collaboration between institutions but also reflected Taylor’s University’s enduring commitment to global citizenship, culinary diplomacy, and excellence in gastronomy education.

Taylor’s University extends its sincere gratitude to Universidad Panamericana for their gracious hospitality and partnership. This collaboration stands as a testament to the power of culinary arts as a bridge for cultural understanding, international engagement, and shared academic growth.

Heritage Kita and Syok PR: Youth-Led Storytelling as a Catalyst for Cultural Preservation

Two final-year Public Relations Consultancy student groups, Heritage Kita and Syok PR, under the mentorship of the Programme Director, Ms. Nurun Najah Tarmidzi, exemplified the transformative role of strategic communication and storytelling in preserving Malaysia’s cultural identity. Developed under the Impact Lab Project: Liveable Urban Communities (Cultural and Heritage category), both initiatives placed community engagement and youth-driven narratives at the forefront of cultural preservation efforts.

Heritage Kita partnered with Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Pos Betau in Kuala Lipis, under the purview of the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), to deliver Voices of Betau, an initiative dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the cultural heritage of the Betau Orang Asli community. Central to the project was a social media workshop conducted for the pupils of SK Pos Betau, which equipped them with the skills to document and share their stories, traditions, and lived experiences through digital platforms. The 14-week campaign garnered over 162,000 engagements on Instagram, reflecting its wide reach and meaningful community impact. Through this initiative, Heritage Kita not only preserved cultural narratives but also amplified the voices of an often underrepresented community.

In parallel, Syok PR collaborated with the Melaka Museum Council (PERZIM) to implement the Syok PR Campaign, aimed at revitalising youth engagement with Melaka’s cultural heritage. Employing a Gen Z–centred storytelling framework, the campaign integrated cultural insight with digital-first strategies tailored to contemporary audiences. Through curated content on Instagram and TikTok, the team reimagined Melaka’s heritage by spotlighting four iconic museums and cultural sites in engaging, accessible, and relatable formats. The campaign achieved significant digital impact, generating over 481,000 engagements on Instagram and 243,000 views on TikTok, underscoring the effectiveness of digital storytelling in reawakening cultural appreciation among younger audiences.

Both projects were presented at the Final Year Project Public Relations Showcase held on 18 December 2025. Collectively, Heritage Kita and Syok PR demonstrated how strategic public relations can transcend conventional communication practices to bridge generations, cultivate cultural pride, and empower young communities to actively sustain Malaysia’s diverse and living heritage.