Malaysia Women Chef Association (Persatuan Chef Wanita Malaysia) has been officially recognised by ASEAN Records for bringing together 121 women culinary practitioners to create a 640.87-metre Pulut Semangat heritage trail in conjunction with Malaysia’s National Day celebrations.
The association achieved the official record title:
First and Longest Pulut Semangat Heritage Trail Assembled Entirely by Women Culinary Practitioners with Hand-Carved Vegetable Floral
(640.87 m × 6 cm × 2 cm; 121 makers across 3 ethnic groups; 1,200 kg raw glutinous rice; assembled in 2 hours, 9am to 11am, 31 August 2026).
The recognition celebrates both the scale of the culinary achievement and the collective contribution of women from different communities, combining Malaysian food heritage, craftsmanship and unity in a single National Day initiative.
121 Women Unite Through Culinary Heritage
Held on 31 August 2026 in Seri Kembangan, the project brought together 121 women culinary practitioners representing three ethnic groups, with participants travelling from Johor, Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perak, Sabah and other parts of Malaysia.
Using 1,200 kg of raw glutinous rice, the participants assembled the continuous Pulut Semangat presentation within two hours, from 9.00am to 11.00am.
The completed trail stretched 640.87 metres, measuring 6 cm wide and 2 cm high, while hand-carved vegetable floral decorations added an additional element of traditional culinary craftsmanship.
Completing the presentation within the designated timeframe required careful coordination across ingredient preparation, assembly and presentation, with every participant contributing towards a single continuous heritage display.
Celebrating Merdeka Through Food and Community
The record attempt formed part of the Semarak Merdeka dengan Pulut Semangat Terpanjang initiative at Gelanggang Zhong Yuan Bola Keranjang, Jalan Indah, Taman Universiti, Seri Kembangan.
Timed with Malaysia’s National Day, the programme used food as a platform to celebrate national identity while highlighting the role of women in preserving and developing Malaysia’s culinary traditions.
Beyond achieving a measurable record, the initiative was designed to bring together culinary practitioners, volunteers and the wider community through a shared cultural experience.
The diversity of the participants reinforced the wider message behind the project — that Malaysia’s food heritage can create meaningful connections across different backgrounds while providing women with greater opportunities to showcase their skills.
Creating Greater Opportunities for Women in Culinary Fields
The idea behind the project developed through the leadership of Chef Renukadevi Ramachandran, President of the Malaysia Women Chef Association, and Chef Fazalina Ismail, Vice President.
Chef Renukadevi, a graduate of the Wanita Berdaya Selangor Women’s Leadership Programme, wanted to create a platform capable of bringing together women working across different areas of the culinary profession while contributing to Seri Kembangan’s community and tourism appeal.
Chef Fazalina contributed the concept of using a communal food gathering to strengthen connections between people, helping shape the initiative into a combination of culinary heritage, women’s participation, community engagement and National Day celebration.
For the association, the achievement represents part of a wider effort to create more opportunities for women culinary practitioners across Malaysia to collaborate, demonstrate their abilities and receive greater recognition for their work.
ASEAN Records Recognition Presented in Seri Kembangan
The ASEAN Records certificate was officially presented on 31 August 2026 at the event venue in Seri Kembangan.
The recognition was received by Chef Renukadevi Ramachandran, President of the Malaysia Women Chef Association, together with Chef Fazalina Ismail, Vice President.
The presentation was witnessed by YB Wong Siew Ki, State Assemblywoman for Seri Kembangan, together with community representatives including MBSJ councillors and local leaders.
Reflecting on the achievement, Chef Renukadevi said the milestone was about more than the length of the Pulut Semangat, emphasising its role in celebrating Malaysian culinary heritage and demonstrating what women can accomplish through collective effort. She also expressed the association’s intention to create more opportunities for women in the culinary field throughout Malaysia.
Chef Fazalina similarly highlighted the spirit of cooperation behind the project, noting that people from different racial and religious backgrounds had come together to achieve something meaningful for the community and country.
Strengthening Malaysian Culinary Heritage
The 640.87-metre Pulut Semangat trail demonstrates how traditional food can extend beyond the dining table to become a platform for cultural preservation, community participation and women’s development.
By combining culinary skills with a large-scale collaborative effort, the initiative placed greater visibility on women whose knowledge, craftsmanship and participation continue to shape Malaysia’s diverse food traditions.
For the Malaysia Women Chef Association, the recognition also marks an important stage in its efforts to build stronger networks among women in the culinary field and create platforms where their abilities can be seen and appreciated.
As the association looks towards future initiatives in other states, the ASEAN Records achievement provides a foundation for expanding its work while keeping Malaysian heritage, community cooperation and women’s participation at the centre.
Learn more about this: Official ASEAN Records Recognition
