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Interview & Thalias : Stefan Preese, Topaz TheCommune, a “French haute cuisine restaurant with Cambodian inspiration”

Carla Alves
Jun 2, 2024
1 min read

Stefan, Project Manager at Thalias Hospitality, discusses his latest project, Topaz TheCommune: a French haute cuisine restaurant located in Toul Kork.

Tell us about your background

I have extensive experience in construction, project management and design for hotels and restaurants. I came in Cambodia 31 years ago and I also worked in Thailand and Singapore in the same field. My first project with Thalias was Malis Siem Reap, and my last is Topaz TheCommune.

How long did the project Topaz TheCommune take?

The design process began in 2022 and ended in December 2023. The first step was a consultation with the contractors to ensure we were achieving the desired outcome within the set budget through effective value engineering.

How many people were involved, including contractors?

The main contractor for this project is Redfurnesse. They specialize in high-end interior fit-out in Cambodia for 30 years. In addition, we had a MEP contractor, kitchen specialists (cold room, inox and equipment suppliers), furniture and IT suppliers. There were eight contractors in total.

Did the project face any challenges?

Every project has challenges. Topaz TheCommune was an enjoyable challenge, because we had to build everything from scratch on a blank canvas.

What was the initial idea for this project?

We are delighted with Topaz Norodom, but we wanted to take it to the next level. We wanted to take Topaz Norodom and make it more elegant and refined. Topaz TheCommune is an evolution, a step forward.

Feeling at home, in a nice environment of luxury and haute cuisine

Read the full interview here

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Guest

Aug 03

The interview with Thalia Stefan Preese at Topaz provides fascinating insight into how haute cuisine in Cambodia is evolving with French influences—attention to detail clearly matters, from plating to ingredient sourcing. That same commitment to precision applies to beverage service. For example, knowing how long does it take for ice cubes to freeze can help ensure your bar or kitchen staff time ice production correctly, maintaining consistency in drink quality and presentation. It’s a small but practical detail that reflects the same care and timing that elite restaurants like Topaz put into every aspect of their craft.