George Town, Penang – July 2025 – Cooking with Chef Samuel, the esteemed private cooking experience in the heart of Penang, has been honored with the prestigious Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2025, placing it among the top-rated travel experiences worldwide.
A Global Recognition Driven by Guest Excellence
The Travellers’ Choice Award celebrates businesses that consistently receive outstanding reviews, ranking among the top 10% globally. This accolade is a result of exceptional guest feedback—highlighting Chef Samuel’s engaging teaching, personal touches, and immersive culinary encounters.
Authentic Malaysian Flavours & Personal Connection
Chef Samuel’s classes showcase Penang’s vibrant food culture, offering bespoke 3–4 dish menus rooted in Malay, Chinese, Indian, Baba‑Nyonya, and Eurasian traditions. Each intimate session begins with a tour of a bustling local wet market, where participants learn about fresh ingredients, spice fundamentals, and regional produce before returning to the studio’s sea‑view kitchen for hands‑on cooking.
The Winning Formula
The appeal of Cooking with Chef Samuel goes beyond the food—it’s his warmth, storytelling, and personalized guidance that resonate with travellers:
A consistent 10/10 rating and guests praising his deep knowledge and responsiveness
Market-to-table classes giving “great background on the dishes, ingredients, and culture”
Small group or private sessions, rich with anecdotes about Penang’s heritage and culinary customs
What Award-Winning Guests Are Saying
On Tripadvisor, glowing travel reviews highlight the value of this authentic experience:
“We had an amazing cooking workshop with Chef Samuel in Penang! He took us to the market, explained all the ingredients, and guided us through making …”
“Chef Samuel was great to work with and let us cook at our own pace while giving great background on the dishes, ingredients, and culture.”
The Chef Behind the Success
With over 15 years of experience in international hotels and humble beginnings in Pahang, Chef Samuel brings heartfelt passion and technical mastery to every class. His journey into culinary entrepreneurship began in 2018 with the launch of Cooking with Chef Samuel, a vision brought to life alongside his wife and business partner, Jacqueline. Together, they created a cooking experience rooted in heritage, hospitality, and storytelling.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they adapted with resilience. Today, their cooking classes continue to reflect the same warmth, grit, and authenticity that first inspired them to open their doors.
What This Award Means
“This recognition is a testament to our guests—sharing their kitchens, curiosity, and enthusiasm made this possible,” says Chef Samuel. “Our goal is to share Penang’s food culture authentically and intimately, and this award shows we’re achieving that.”
Join the Celebration
To experience one of Penang’s top-rated travel adventures:
Choose your Private 3–4 dish menu (vegetarian options available)
Embark on an inspiring wet market tour
Learn heritage-inspired recipes in a private sea-view kitchen
Enjoy a personal meal and take home the recipes and memories
Customers can book directly via the website or through Tripadvisor, where availability fills quickly.
About Cooking with Chef Samuel
A boutique cooking experience led by Chef Samuel, with market tours, private cooking studio sessions, and personalized menus celebrating Penang’s diverse culinary traditions.
Media Contact
Cooking with Chef Samuel
Phone: (+60) 11‑1068 5779
Email: hello@cookingwithchefsamuel.com
Website: cookingwithchefsamuel.com
