Culinary Students Awarded At White Hats Gala Dinner In Phnom Penh
On September 20, 2024, Raffles Hotel Le Royal hosted the White Hats Gala Dinner, marking a grand conclusion to the Mekong Food Festival, which was held from September 17-19 and brought together top students from five esteemed hospitality schools from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand, to showcase their culinary skills. The exclusive fundraising event brought together around 200 distinguished guests, celebrity chefs, and key supporters of the Naomi Tami Scholarship Fund.
Acclaimed Chef Bobby Chinn and Chef Luu Meng crafted a menu for the evening combining the rich culinary traditions of the Mekong region with modern influences, creating a unique dining experience for all attendees, and showcasing the diversity of flavours from Cambodia and beyond.
The event was presided over by H.E. Hun Many, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Civil Service; H.E. Dr. Hangchuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, and Sport; H.E. Sok Sobayna, Ministry of Civil Service; and H.E. Dr. Sok Siphanna, Senior Minister and Chairman of the Trade Policy Advisory Board.
H.E. Hun Many delivered a keynote speech commending the efforts of the festival organisers and expressing his encouragement for the Mekong Food Festival to become an annual event. He emphasised the significance of supporting local talent and promoting Cambodian cuisine on the global stage, further solidifying the festival’s role in fostering cultural pride and economic development.
The Minister of Civil Service also presented awards to outstanding students from each of the participating culinary schools – the Academy of Culinary Arts Cambodia (ACAC), Dusit Thani College in Thailand, Imperial International College in Vietnam, Star University in Myanmar, and Pakpasak Technical College in Lao PDR. He praised the students for their remarkable talents, creativity, and dedication, acknowledging their role in showcasing the rich culinary diversity of the Mekong region.
The evening’s guest of honour, Abeer Farah, representing the Dubai Cares Foundation, also delivered a speech, where she highlighted the foundation’s support of the ACAC and commitment to empowering young Cambodians through high quality education, life-long learning and skills development. A video showcasing the success stories of young Cambodian students who have benefited from the Naomi Scholarship Fund and have gone on to secure employment at five-star hotels in Dubai and Abu Dhabi was also presented.
Pierre Tami (aka Sen Seila), President of Shift 360 and founder of ACAC, the organising body behind the Mekong Food Festival, expressed his gratitude to all dignitaries, esteemed guests, and partners for their unwavering support of the event and its mission. He emphasised the critical role the Naomi Scholarship Fund plays in transforming the lives of underprivileged youth across the region, giving them the chance to pursue careers in the culinary arts and hospitality industries.
“Through education and mentorship, we are not only providing skills but also dignity and hope for a brighter future,” said Tami.
He further underscored the importance of continued collaboration between local and international partners to ensure the ongoing success of the scholarship fund and the festival, noting that these efforts help foster cultural exchange and create meaningful opportunities for young talents in the Mekong region.
Guests attending the gala dinner were treated to Khmer cultural performances by the Khmer Art Association, and also took part in a live auction led by Chef Bobby Chinn, raising funds for the Naomi Tami Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to disadvantaged students who wish to pursue careers in the hospitality and culinary sectors. Generous donations were made, with exclusive items and experiences auctioned off to enthusiastic bidders.
The success of the event was made possible by the support of Shift 360, in partnership with Emirates Airlines, Dubai Cares, Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Celliers d’Asie, Thai Sturgeon Farm and LaVistaOne.
This press release was supplied.