19/08/2026
She Rises The Stories of Career Growth
Author: Lily Chong
Company: World Gourmet
Profession: International F&B Awards Presenter Platform
Position : Marketing Director
# **Every Fall Is Preparing Me to Rise Higher**
Hello, I’m Lily Chong.
If I was to describe myself in one sentence, I would say that I am someone who believes in goals, perseverance, and the power of Malaysian cuisine to reach the world.
My journey began with learning how to take responsibility. When I was thirteen, my father passed away. As the eldest daughter in the family, I studied while working part-time to help my mother support the family, hoping that my younger siblings could have a better future.
Later, I entered the financial industry and worked in private banking. As life gradually became more stable, I began to realise that beyond taking care of my own family, I also wanted to contribute something meaningful to Malaysia.
In 2017, my sister and I ventured into a completely different field and co-founded the **World Gourmet** platform. Neither of us had a background in the food and beverage industry, and we faced doubts and criticism along the way. Yet, we firmly believed that as long as our intentions remained sincere, we would find a way to keep moving forward.
I have always believed that food is more than just a dish. It carries the culture, identity, and warmth of a country. Every chef who works tirelessly and every restaurant that operates with passion deserves to be recognised and respected.
Through our platform, we hope to give deserving food and beverage professionals the recognition they deserve, while promoting Malaysian cuisine internationally. We want more people around the world to discover Malaysia through its food, and ultimately, to fall in love with this beautiful country.
Whenever I see an award-winning restaurant proudly say, **“This recognition is the result of our hard work,”** I become even more certain that what we are doing is about far more than presenting awards. We are helping to build international recognition and value for Malaysian cuisine.
Many people may think that the greatest challenge in my life was entrepreneurship. In truth, it was the battle within myself.
For many years, I underwent treatment because I desperately wanted to have a child. During that period, my weight exceeded 100 kilograms. I lost my confidence, avoided socialising, and found myself at one of the lowest points in my life.
Then, in 2016, I decided that I could no longer remain trapped in that state. I made a conscious decision to change my life. I entered a beauty pageant, seeing it as an opportunity for a fresh start and a chance to fulfil a childhood dream of becoming a beauty queen.
With determination and unwavering willpower, I gradually reduced my weight from more than 100 kilograms to just over 50 kilograms. More importantly, I regained my health, confidence, and sense of direction in life.
Looking back, this experience has strengthened my belief that when a goal is clear and deeply rooted in our hearts, we can develop an almost unbreakable will to achieve it.
Today, whether I am promoting Malaysian cuisine or facing challenges in life, I continue to believe that every difficult season is a necessary part of growth. As long as we keep moving forward and refuse to give up, we will eventually find our way onto a brighter and more fulfilling path.
— **Lily Chong**
The world is vast, and life is full of uncertainties. But belief is one of the most powerful forces we possess.
Believe in yourself. Believe in your goals. Believe in the future.
When we truly believe, our dreams have a way of becoming reality.
**We can achieve because we believe we can. When our faith remains unshaken, our mission will ultimately be fulfilled.**
她崛起 职场成长的故事
作者: 张珮沥
公司: 世界美食
专业: 国际的餐饮奖项颁奖平台
职位: 市场总监
《每一次跌倒,都是为了站得更高》
大家好,我是 Lily Chong。
如果用一句话形容自己,我是一个相信目标、相信坚持,也相信马来西亚美食能够走向世界的人。
我的人生,是从学会承担开始的。十三岁那年,父亲离世。作为家里的长女,我一边读书、一边兼职,协助妈妈撑起家庭,也希望弟弟妹妹都能拥有更好的未来。后来进入金融业,从事私人银行工作,生活渐渐稳定,但我始终觉得,除了照顾自己的家庭,我也希望能为马来西亚做一点有意义的事情。
2017年,我和妹妹跨界创办了「世界美食」平台。虽然我们没有餐饮背景,也曾面对不少质疑,但我们始终相信,只要初心是真诚的,就一定能够走下去。
我一直认为,美食不仅是一道料理,更承载着一个国家的文化与温度。每一位默默耕耘的厨师、每一家用心经营的餐厅,都值得被看见与尊重。因此,我们希望透过这个平台,让优秀的餐饮业者获得肯定,同时把马来西亚美食推广到国际,让更多人因为美食认识马来西亚,也因为美食爱上这片土地。
每当看到获奖餐厅骄傲地说:「这是我们努力换来的肯定。」我就更加确信,我们坚持做的,不只是一个奖项,而是在为马来西亚美食建立属于自己的国际价值。
很多人以为,我人生最大的挑战是创业,其实,是与自己的抗争。
曾经为了要拥有自己的孩子,我长期接受治疗,体重一度突破一百公斤。那段时间,我失去自信,不愿意见人,也陷入人生最低谷。直到2016年,我决定改变自己,告诉自己不能再继续消沉。我报名参加选美,把它当作重新开始的目标,也圆了自己从小的「美后梦」。
凭着坚定的意志力,我一步一步从一百多公斤减到五十多公斤,也重新找回健康、自信与人生方向。回首这段经历,我更加相信,只要目标够坚定,人就会拥有钢铁般的意志去实现它。
今天,无论推广马来西亚美食,还是面对人生挑战,我始终相信:每一段低谷,都是成长的必经之路;只要不停下脚步,总会迎来属于自己的上坡路。
—— Lily Chong
世界很大,人生充满变数,但相信,是最强大的力量。相信自己、相信目标、相信未来,梦想就会有实现的一天。人之所以能,是因为相信能;信念不倒,使命必达。
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