On Jan 28 this year, a team of Malaysian pastry chefs made history when they were crowned champions at the 2019 Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie (World Pastry Cup) in Lyon, France – the first time Malaysia has ever bagged the top spot in the 30-year competition.

For the people behind the win, Malaysia’s rise to the top has been part of a concerted, near decade-long effort to cultivate and enhance the skills of local pastry chefs. The win was the icing on the cake.