MIRI, June 21 -- Chef Kenny Gan Wei Kiat of Hatchi by Kenny's restaurant here has emerged World National Tapas Competition champion.

Gan outperformed other 28 fellow Malaysian chefs to clinch the coveted title, earning the honour of representing Malaysia at the prestigious World Tapas Championship in Valladolid, Spain this November.

The competition was part of the World National and World Asia Tapas Competition, Exhibition, Festival and Seminar (Watcefs) 2026, where chef Ellyrius Sukimin of Jinhold Hotel & Serviced Apartment Miri secured the runner-up title yesterday.

In an exclusive interview with The Borneo Post, Gan said his winning creation was a modern interpretation of ikan pansuh in croquette form.

"I actually did a modern inte...