Selangor, 12 July 2025 – Elle & Vire Professionnel, the premium French dairy brand under Savencia Fromage & Dairy, proudly hosted its first-ever Malaysia Young Chef Competition 2025 at Le Cordon Bleu Sunway. This landmark event provided a vibrant platform for the country’s most promising young pastry chefs to showcase their creativity and technical mastery.
Under the inspiring theme “Paths of Excellence,” the competition aims to nurture, inspire, and elevate new generations of pastry talent, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s unwavering commitment to empowering young chefs across the region.
From over 50 entries representing 18 leading institutions nationwide, 10 outstanding finalists earned their spot in the live grand finale. Contestants were challenged to recreate a banana cake and present their unique interpretation of a classic French plated dessert, putting both their artistry and precision to the test using Elle & Vire Professionnel’s premium dairy ingredients.
Nessy Meghayani, Country Manager of Savencia Fromage & Dairy Indonesia & Malaysia, shared, “In conjunction with our brand’s Generation programme, which embodies our commitment to nurturing young chefs and artisans, we’re putting the next generation of Malaysia pastry talent centre stage through the Elle & Vire Professionnel Malaysia Young Chef Competition. It’s all about helping them unlock their creativity and grow their skills in pastry.”
Following the Indonesia Young Chef Competition’s successful momentum, which saw its third edition hosted in Jakarta on July 5, 2025, Malaysia’s Young Chef Competition marks another milestone in the region’s growing pastry movement.
A distinguished panel of judges brought world-class expertise to the event, including Chef Chong Ko Wai, Elle & Vire Professionnel Malaysia Ambassador and Co-founder of Texture Pâtisserie; Chef Lawrence Cheong, the acclaimed “Asia Chocolate Prince” and Co-founder of Texture Pâtisserie; Chef Benjamin De Closets, Pastry Chef at La Maison de L’Excellence Savencia; Chef Arieni Adriena, Founder & CEO of Gula Cakery Group and Chef Pang Yun Kian, Co-founder and Head Chef of Lachér Patisserie.
Chef Chong Ko Wai, who took part in numerous competitions during his formative years, commented, “This competition is a wonderful opportunity for every participant to push their limits, reach new heights and inspire one another through the incredible creativity on display.”
Chef Benjamin de Closets shared this message with the young talents: “The Young Chef Competition is about pushing your creative boundaries and challenging your limits. But above all, take pride in your craft, enjoy every moment and put your heart into giving your very best.”
Har Pei Shan (Champion), Teh Ling Shi (First Runner-Up) & Lim Bee Kee (Second Runner-Up); have been crowned as the top three winners of the first Elle & Vire Professionnel Malaysia Young Chef Competition 2025. They walked away with trophies, certificates, cash prizes and an invaluable opportunity for international pastry training with Elle & Vire Professionnel; a testament to the brand’s commitment to empowering aspiring chefs at every stage of their journey.
More than just a competition, this event stood as a powerful platform to cultivate excellence, spark knowledge sharing and celebrate the ever-evolving craft of pastry. With this successful inaugural edition, Elle & Vire Professionnel proudly reaffirms its dedication to nurturing Malaysia’s next generation of pastry talents through innovation, strong local partnerships and global expertise.
Savencia Fromage & Dairy is dedicated to sustainability through global initiatives focused on sustainable milk, better food, people and planet and responsible growth. By employing clean label approaches, using natural French milk and implementing oxygenation programmes, Savencia aims to positively impact the food industry and environment long-term. These principles underpin the Young Chef Competition, which promotes creativity, technical skills, social responsibility and environmental awareness among emerging chefs.
Nessy Meghayani emphasised that the competition serves as a platform for young talent and inspires the next generation, aligning with Elle & Vire Professionnel’s commitment to nurturing globally competitive Chefs, supported by technology, international expertise and local spirit.
About Elle & Vire Professionnel
Elle & Vire Professionnel is a dairy brand dedicated to serving professionals in the fields of bakery, pastry and catering. Originating from France, the brand offers four product categories—cream, butter, cheese, and desserts—available in more than 120 countries. These four Elle & Vire Professionnel products have become staple ingredients favoured by culinary professionals around the world.
In addition to its product range, Elle & Vire Professionnel also provides a comprehensive programme for professional bakers, developed by experts from La Maison de l’Excellence Savencia. This program includes recipes, video tutorials on pastry and catering techniques, and an online book filled with culinary inspiration.
About Savencia Fromage & Dairy
Savencia Fromage & Dairy is the world’s fifth-largest cheese manufacturer and a global leader in dairy innovation. A family-owned group with strong values and a global reach, Savencia is committed to “Leading the way to better food” through sustainable milk sourcing, responsible growth, and high-quality, clean-label dairy products that are commercialised via retail and Food Service. With a focus on innovation, close touch with local markets, as well as on expertise shared worldwide, Savencia continues to positively impact the foodservice industry worldwide.
Partners of Elle & Vire Professionnel Malaysia Young Chef Competition 2025
BidFood Malaysia
Le Cordon Bleu Sunway
This content is provided by Elle & Vire Professionnel.
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