BY FASIHA KHUSHIRI and NATASHA JEE
KUCHING: The first Sarawak Gastronomy Incubator Programme, also known as SAGO Incubator, has been launched to help food entrepreneurs (foodpreneurs) grow their food ventures and succeed in the digital economy.
SAGO Incubator, is an 11-week programme which will equip food entrepreneurs with food skills, business acumen and market development skills.
The programme, which was launched on Tuesday at The Hills here, is organised by The Hills Kuching, in collaboration with WAT Sarawak and Retrospective Discovery LLP.
Speaking at the launching, The Hills chief operating officer Lionel Ho said throughout the 11-week course foodpreneurs will receive mentorship, masterclasses, workshops, practical training, classes on developing their food innovation skills, walking tours to the local markets and also on the development of their business acumen through product testing and validation.
“Once the participants go through this course they will also receive the Food Handlers Certificate from the Ministry of Health (MoH), access to work here at The Grounds, commercial kitchen and spaces to sell their food, also access to certain imported food and ingredients by Supreme Coldstorage,” he said.
Later at a press conference, he said for a start, they are targeting 50 participants, and the best 10 participants with existing food business will be selected for the programme.
“From there, the most promising food venture(s) will receive rent-free commercial spaces for three months to further grow their food business immediately at the end of the programme,” he said.
Meanwhile, Retrospective Discovery LLP managing partner Arif Abdul Rahman said that the programme is also in line to complement the recognition of Kuching as the Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy.
“This is our first time running the SAGO Incubator and following the success of this first programme, we are looking forward to working closer together with the related ministry in expanding this programme.
“So hopefully, we can get the strong support from the relevant ministry in organising the next programme,” he said in a press conference after the launch of the SAGO Incubator Programme at The Hills on Tuesday (May 10).
He added for the next programme, they aim to get a participation of 100 people.
On a similar note, he said with Kuching recognised as the Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy , Sarawak’s food and beverages (F&B) has the potential to be a major contributor to the local economy and provide more opportunities for the local food entrepreneurs.
“With the state rapidly adopting the digital economy, we have to ensure industries like F&B services can compete in the digital era and unlock more opportunities for Sarawakians through our programme,” he said.
Participants will get to meet mentors such Chef Achang Libat, Datin Dona Drury-Wee of Cultural Heritage and Arts Society Sarawak, Cliff Chong of Big Coconut Western, Amin Azninzan of Kedey Kamek, Jasbir Kaur of Masterchef Asia, Lee Swee Lin of PichaEats, Alan Soo of Alfresco Kuching and Marichelle Livan Lah of Lepau Restaurant.
The SAGO Incubator Programme will run from the end of May until early August. Applications will close on May 16.
Participation will be free of charge. Among the criteria to join is that the foodpreneur must be aged 18 and above and must have at least six months experience in running their food business; willing to commit fully to the whole duration of the programme; able to be based in Kuching during the programme; and passionate about food and growing their business.
Among the implementing partners of the programme are TEGAS Digital Village, Supreme Group, Green Buddy, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), New Sarawak Tribune, Suara Sarawak, Kedey Kamek and Pullman Kuching.
Those who are interested can visit their website at https://sagoinc.my/ for further details.
