Cambodian gastronomy gains international recognition

In one month, no less than three international awards have given Cambodian gastronomy a spotlight. UNESCO has recognized the city of Battambang as a creative city of gastronomy and two culinary books “Sayo, Royal Cambodian Home Cuisine” and “The Taste of Angkor” have just won several awards at the latest World of Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, which took place this year in Saudi Arabia.

The award for the book “Taste of Angkor” published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations highlights the culinary diplomacy instilled by the government.

In 2021 and 2022, the book won the Best Asian Cookbook and Best Chefs of State awards from the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards founded in 1995 by Edouard Cointreau.

From this book, seven video recipes were produced and therefore crowned with the Best Television Awards 2023 still at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.

These videos were filmed during training for the Cambodian diplomatic corps representing Khmer cuisine abroad.

“This year’s award reflects the ministry’s policy to promote authentic Cambodian cuisine. It is a source of pride, our efforts aim to make the world appreciate the great heritage of a thousand-year-old culinary heritage,” underlined the ministry.

Also during the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2023, “Saoy, Royal Cambodian Home Cuisine” won no less than three awards, including the most prestigious, that of Best of the Best award.

This 220-page book offers a culinary journey to the heart of the traditional royal recipes of Princess Norodom Rasmi Sobbhana between 1950 and 1970. Rotanak Ros, called Chef Nak, at the origin of the editorial project, revisits these recipes illustrated by Serey Sot and the photographer La Mo, also director of the publication.

Shortly before, the recognition of Battambang as a creative city of gastronomy had perfectly illustrated the combination of the excellence of local products and know-how recognized throughout the country. Furthermore, farmers cultivate in this province the famous phka rumdoul fragrant jasmine rice, crowned the best rice in the world last year for the fifth time.