The winners of the “QR Gastronomic Quality – 2026” festival travelled to Malaysia to explore international experience in the restaurant business and gastronomic tourism.
As part of the “QR Gastronomic Quality” project, implemented by the public association “DMO Karakalpakstan” under a social order from the Public Fund for Support of Civil Society Institutions under the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the “QR Gastronomic Quality – 2026” festival was held in July. For the first time in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the festival featured a practical competition to assess the quality of service in restaurants and cafés.
During the study visit, representatives of the three winning restaurants are exploring modern approaches to service quality, restaurant management and hospitality.
An important part of the programme includes professional visits and meetings with representatives of Malaysia’s restaurant industry.
The participants visited Shanghai Restaurant, featured in the international MICHELIN Guide, where they learned about restaurant operations, service standards and approaches to guest experience.
A particular highlight was the visit to Beta KL, a one-Michelin-star restaurant that has retained its Michelin star for four consecutive years since 2023. The participants met with representatives of the restaurant’s management and its chef and learned about approaches to culinary development, service organisation and maintaining a high level of quality in line with MICHELIN standards.
The participants are also exploring how national cuisine and culture can become an integral part of a tourism product and help create a unique experience for visitors.
The knowledge and practical experience gained during the visit can serve as a foundation for new ideas and solutions in Karakalpakstan’s restaurant sector, taking into account the region’s local traditions and unique characteristics.
From a quality competition to international experience and new opportunities for the development of gastronomic tourism in Karakalpakstan.
