Singapore – Asian Food Channel and Food Network announced that two talented and passionate foodies have been selected as the 2015 Food Hero winners after a four-month talent search across Asia-Pacific. The finalists were judged on their performance in a series of food-based challenges, interviews, screen tests and most of all, on their abilities to engage with the viewers both on-air and in person. Viewers across Asia can look forward to Ili Sulaiman and Debbie Wong from Malaysia and Hong Kong respectively, hosting shows on Asian Food Channel and Food Network in the coming months.

“I am thrilled that Ili and Debbie are going to join our current Food Heroes, Sarah and Michele, as talents of our top rated food channels! Developing local talent is one of the main tenets of our business in Asia and I am confident that our viewers will grow to trust and love them as much as they have grown to love and trust Asian Food Channel and Food Network as the go-to destinations in Asia when it comes to all things food.” said Derek Chang, Managing Director of Scripps Networks Interactive, Asia Pacific.

Ili Sulaiman is the second Malaysian to claim the Food Hero title. She is the founder of her own food delivery service called “Dish by Ili” that serves healthy homemade meals to families in Malaysia. Her fusion style of cooking is heavily influenced by her mix of Malay, Chinese, English and Sri Lankan heritage.

Ili adds, “Like many Malaysians, food occupies a very special place in my heart. Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve found myself drawn towards food, cooking for myself and for others, as well as teaching and making cooking fun! Winning Food Hero is a dream comes true for me, giving me another platform to make lives better through food.”

Debbie Wong is a passionate food lover who stars in her own online YouTube series, “Wok and Gong”. Having lived in many diverse cities and being exposed to different cultures, she loves exploring new eateries and enjoys cooking modern comfort food that is simple, straightforward and globally inspired.

Sharing her excitement, Debbie said, “I grew up watching Food Network, and now to have been given the opportunity to be on it, is truly a dream come true. The whole Food Hero competition has been such a surreal and truly joyful experience and I’m so excited to see what Scripps Networks has in store for me!”

Ili and Debbie join Food Hero 2014 winners, Sarah Benjamin from Singapore and Michele Lean from Malaysia. Since winning last year, Sarah has starred in original series Must Try! Asia and Cooking for Love on Asian Food Channel while Michele went on to host Food Wars Asia on Food Network. Both also currently host their own web series Simply Special, Gr848, Eat My World and Food Flip, which are hosted on each channel’s website and YouTube channel.

Food Hero is an ongoing talent search campaign by Scripps Networks Interactive in Asia. It is supported by Expedia, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Japan, and official Singapore Radio Partners, Kiss 92FM and One FM.

For more information about Food Hero, please visit www.foodhero.asia or download the Food Hero application which is available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play.