It was a victory defined by generosity and friendship when Johor duo Linnox Ivan Wilfred and Tamilmaaran Sinnaih were crowned champions of the IKEA Ultimate Cook-Off at IKEA Tebrau. Linnox walked away with a RM10,000 worth of IKEA kitchen makeover, thanks to his teammate’s selfless gesture.
The long-time cooking partners, known among family and friends for catering everything from small gatherings to wedding events for over 200 guests, impressed judges with their Pan-Fried Herb-Crusted Salmon, a dish that blended Swedish and Malaysian flavours to perfection.
But what made their win unforgettable was the friendship behind it. Upon being announced as winners, Tamilmaaran insisted that Linnox receive the full kitchen makeover, knowing it would help him start his new home.
“I just got the keys to my new home recently, and honestly, I wasn’t planning to start renovations anytime soon. So I was really grateful when Tamil said he wanted me to have the full prize. We both agreed that the next time there’s a competition, it’ll be his turn to take home the prize,” said Linnox.
On 4 and 5 October 2025, home cooks from across Malaysia gathered at IKEA Tebrau, IKEA Batu Kawan, and IKEA Cheras to battle it out in the Ultimate Cook-Off, as part of the month-long IKEA House Party celebration. Contestants went head-to-head in exciting timed rounds, judged by a panel of celebrity chefs including Anis Nabilah, Ceddy, Qi Razali and Sean Lee alongside IKEA Malaysia’s own Chef and cooking experts. With energy, creativity and true home-cooking spirit, three teams rose above the rest.
The contestants were scored on creativity, teamwork, cooking technique, and time management with judges assessing both taste and presentation. Participants faced a series of exciting culinary challenges: recreating the IKEA-inspired SJÖRAPPORT Eggs Benedict, reinventing the brand’s iconic Swedish meatballs, then tackling a high-stakes Mystery Box challenge that blended Swedish and Malaysian flavours.
Each store crowned a grand prize winner, walking away with a RM10,000 IKEA kitchen makeover that would turn everyday kitchens into dream cooking spaces.
At IKEA Cheras, the winning duo K1 & Friend, made up of Aziatul Fasihah Binti Mohd Roslan and Wan Rogayah Wan Muhamad, brought an inspiring story of teamwork to the table. Once rivals in another cooking challenge, the pair decided to join forces for the cook-off. Their chemistry, creativity and balance of flavours earned them the top spot, and in true team spirit, they decided to split the prize equally.
Over at IKEA Batu Kawan, husband-and-wife team Pearly Lim Pei Li and Teh Boon Soon, competing under the name Soup-ernatural Flavour Chasers, surprised the judges and themselves with their inventive fusion dishes. Known for cooking soups at home, the couple ventured beyond their comfort zone with bold, imaginative creations that captured the judges’ hearts, as well as the grand prize to bring their culinary dreams to life.
Malcolm Pruys, Country Retail Director of IKEA Malaysia said, “This campaign truly reflects our mission to make life at home better through smart, affordable, and democratic design. From clever storage solutions that help reduce food waste to tools that make cooking easier, plus modular kitchens that suit every home we prove that your dream kitchen doesn’t have to come with a dream price tag. The Ultimate Cook-Off captured this spirit perfectly and it was about great food, great company, and celebrating the heart of every home: the kitchen.”
Between 13 September and 5 October, IKEA Malaysia hosted a series of fun weekend activities inspiring everyone to rediscover the joy of life at home. Highlights included SMÖL Stage Sundays with live coffee sessions and local DJs, SMÖRGÅS for Starters workshops teaching how to elevate your dining space and craft the perfect Swedish meatball, and Kitchen Confessions with Maggy Wang, a live podcast diving into what food and home truly mean. These open-to-all activities showcased IKEA Malaysia’s belief that staying at home can be affordable, enjoyable, and delectable.
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