The salons of the Raffles Hotel Le Royal recently played host to the much-anticipated competition for Cambodia’s best sommelier. After a brief hiatus due to the pandemic, the much-anticipated national event finally returned in 2023, showcasing the growing demand for wine experts in Cambodia.   We were thrilled to have Eden Gnean, President of the Cambodia...

Last month, Sophaon Cao Song, a truly inspiring figure in the arts, fashion and jewellery industries, made a special trip to Cambodia to reconnect with her roots. Sophaon is a French-Cambodian living in France who makes an annual pilgrimage to her native country.  Sophoan’s a real foodie and always up for trying new places, so...

The Christmas festive season is marked by a profusion of savory and generous food traditions, including turkey, oysters, and foie gras, among other dishes. But do you know why the Turkey (dinde in French) is so popular?  The Origins of Turkey as a Christmas Foodstuff  By 1720, approximately 250,000 turkeys were being cultivated annually in...

In addition to its fine cuisine, Topaz is also an inspiring landmark, a place of well-being and relaxation. It is also a venue that draws and welcomes the most famous artists.  Miwako Fujiwara, musician  This month, Topaz Norodom welcomed Miwako Fujiwara for a business lunch tasting, an illustrious choice given the immense talent of this...

CAMFOOD CAMHOTEL 2024 was a resounding success, showcasing the incredible talent, passion and innovation that characterize Cambodia’s vibrant culinary scene. Ratana Sek, demi-Chef de Partie of Topaz TheCommune, won the gold medal in the Black Box Beef Challenge.  The highlight of CAMFOOD CAMHOTEL 2024 was undoubtedly the intense competition that took place over the three...

Le Malis remains one of the best-known establishments for lovers of local cuisine adapted to today’s trends, and is also the number 1 destination for tourists keen to discover Khmer delicacies. But there’s more: Malis also offers meat-free dishes, an ideal option for vegans and vegetarians, but also for those who prefer a lightweight lunch...

A few weeks ago, several young women who are well known in Cambodia’s business community kindly shared their opinions about the Topaz business lunch. Cindy from BRED Bank Cambodia and Sara from Archetype were both enthusiastic.    More than the menu itself, the aim was to evaluate this formula, to get an opinion on the...

On other fronts, the Thalias group continues to support cultural and gastronomic initiatives through its magazine www.cambodgemag.com/en.  In recent weeks, the magazine has helped to promote the famous Oktoberfest festival, the Phnom Penh Photo Festival of course, and the superb sixties-themed fashion show at the Bophana Centre.   We also covered the Peak Prelude event, the...

One of the major cultural events connected to the Thalias group is the Phnom Penh Photo Festival, which has been welcoming art lovers to the exhibition halls of the Institut Français du Cambodge since 21 November.  Visitors can also enjoy a bite to eat at the Bistrot de l’Institut or the Khéma or take advantage...

Don’t miss the Go stand at the Marché Français! Mark your diary for 7 December 2024! Go Artisan Bakery will be setting up a stand at the Marché Français, offering unique deals to the public.  Go Artisan Bakery & Café has become a genuine institution in Phnom Penh, offering a generous selection of French pastries,...

On 21 November, lovers of fine local cheeses and charcuterie were invited to a special Beaujolais Nouveau evening. With a décor and a range of tables and cutlery delicately designed by Sok Kanthei and his team, guests enjoyed a veritable feast of culinary delights while savoring the latest vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau.  According to Sok Kanthei,...

It’s been an incredibly busy few weeks in the Thalias Group’s restaurants, from the return of the starred Didier Corlou to the Villa Sisters event, the Beaujolais nouveau evening at Le Khéma, and much more…  Didier Corlou fully booked  The Topaz restaurant was fully booked for its special evening on 21 November, which welcomed the...

At 22, Carla Alves has just completed her journalism internship in Cambodia with Thalias Hospitality group. A significant and challenging experience for this law and international relations student, who is looking forward to returning to the Kingdom at the end of her studies for a new professional experience.  Interview  Tell us a little about yourself ...

This month, the Thalias team extended a welcome to Florian Bohême, a “Conseiller des Français de l’étranger” (1), who is also a prominent figure in the hotel and restaurant industry in Cambodia ; he is the CEO of a consultancy and training firm specialising in this field.  Mr Bohême relocated to Cambodia in 2014, marking...

On 20 August, the raclette party at Khéma La Poste filled the room with warmth, good spirits and the irresistible aroma of melting cheese.   What makes Khéma’s raclette so special? The cheesemakers at Thalias make it themselves from fresh whole milk sourced directly from local dairy farms in Phnom Penh. It’s a long and laborious...

It has been two years since our last interview with Chamroeun Pok, General Manager of the renowned Malis restaurant in Phnom Penh. Following the challenges posed by the pandemic and the unpredictability of the recovery period, Ms Pok is once again optimistic as she and her team spearhead the restaurant’s return to a path of...

A landmark restaurant for authentic Khmer cuisine in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, the Malis is not only a culinary destination and a privileged place to discover the delicate and fragrant flavours of Cambodian cuisine, whose traditional recipes have been brought up by Master Chef Luu Meng.  Malis is also a place of smiles. Those...

Peposo Impruneta is an Italian dish that’s both generous and mouth-watering. It’s a beef stew cooked very slowly in Chianti, served with polenta and thyme-flavoured vegetables.  The Italian dish on offer at the Siena restaurant in Phnom Penh represents a novel gastronomic experience, encompassing a plethora of exquisite flavours and a fascinating historical background. In...

In addition to being esteemed for its exquisite cuisine, the Topaz restaurant in Phnom Penh is also celebrated for its elegant ambience. Of notable mention is the establishment’s gardens, where an impressive statue of a bull, crafted from recycled metal, commands attention.  The AKs in the art of peace  Vanndy Ou (born 1977, Kandal province)...

We’ve already featured some wines in our columns, mainly Grands Crus from France and Europe, regions so renowned for the exceptional quality of their grape varieties. But there are other wines that are quite popular, though not necessarily at the top of the world’s list.  When we asked the manager of Malis Phnom Penh, Chamrouen...