Dream Cruises Hosts HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards 2025 at Sea for Second Year.
30 October 2025 (Singapore) – For the second consecutive year, Dream Cruises proudly served as the official venue sponsor for the HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards (HTGA) 2025, specifically for the highly anticipated Gastronomy Cook-Off Showdown category. The event was held onboard the Genting Dream during its 3 Night Phuket Cruise from Singapore, sailing from 30 September to 3 October 2025, welcoming 43 distinguished participants and invited guests.
Building on the success of the inaugural edition in 2024, HTGA 2025 expanded its reach beyond Singapore, with Johor confirmed as the first stop in its global journey. The awards celebrate excellence in Halal dining, honouring restaurants, chefs and culinary innovations that push the boundaries of creativity and quality in Halal gastronomy.
“We were delighted to continue our partnership with HalalTrip and Singapore Halal Culinary Federation for the second year running,” said Michael Goh, President of StarDream Cruises. “Hosting the Gastronomy Cook-Off Showdown aboard Genting Dream was a perfect fit, as our ship offers certified Halal cuisine and a wide range of Muslim-friendly offerings. It provided an unforgettable environment for talented chefs to showcase their creativity and for guests to enjoy a truly unique dining and entertainment experience.”
During the Gastronomy Cook-Off Showdown aboard Genting Dream, participants showcased their culinary skills in front of an audience of passengers. From this intense competition emerged the winners for the Singapore and Johor (Malaysia) categories, with congratulations extended to the Singapore winners, Chef Abdul Rashid Mahmood from The Butcher’s Table (Best Forward Chef category) and Chef Derek Ng Meng Tat from Loong Dim Sum (Most Promising Chef category).
Terence Lim Wee Teck, Vice President – Sales, StarDream Cruises (left), presenting the HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards (HTGA) 2025 to the Singapore winners.
The Johor winners include Chef de Partie Jannahtul Akhma Binti Juraini from Pawana Restaurant Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort (Best Forward Chef category) and Demi Chef Mohammad Riezafi Bin Jamri from Suasana Suites Café (Most Promising Chef category), who were officially announced at a separate ceremony.
Katherine Chan Siew Yin, Assistant Vice President – Sales & Marketing, StarDream Cruises (left) together with Chef Hj Mohd Khairulfazi bin Mohamed, Corporate & Innovation Program Development Officer, Kolej Yayasan Pelajaran Johor (KYPJ) (right), presenting the HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards (HTGA) 2025 to the Johor (Malaysia) winners.
Raudha Zaini, Director of Operations, HalalTrip said “We are excited to bring the HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards’ cook-off competition back to the open sea for the second consecutive year with Dream Cruises. This year is especially exciting as we not only celebrate the return of our Singapore finalists but also proudly welcome, for the first time, the talented chefs representing Johor under the HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards Johor. This collaboration is a testament to the growing demand for innovative and memorable Muslim-friendly experiences within the travel industry.”
Chef Muhammad Kamal Khamis, President, Singapore Halal Culinary Federation (SHCF) added “On behalf of the Singapore Halal Culinary Federation, I am thrilled to witness this unique culinary showdown. The HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards provides an essential stage for talents to shine. To have this year’s chef cook-off competition aboard a Dream Cruises vessel adds an unparalleled layer of excitement and prestige. It challenges the finalists to perform at their peak under unique circumstances and demonstrates that the pursuit of Halal culinary excellence knows no bounds. This collaboration not only celebrates our vibrant food culture but also inspires the next generation of Halal chefs.”
As the world’s first Muslim-friendly cruise, Genting Dream continues to offer exceptional experiences for travellers of all backgrounds. Muslim guests from across the region can enjoy certified Halal cuisine and a range of Muslim-friendly offerings. These include exciting 2 and 3 Night cruises to Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka and Phuket, as well as a special 5-night Bali Cruise departing 30 November 2025. Additional itineraries to Bangkok, Redang and Koh Samui will be available in 2026, providing even more options for travellers.”
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