Phnom Penh: The White Hats gala dinner, an evening of culinary excellence and philanthropy

Last Thursday, the prestigious Raffles Le Royal hotel hosted the much-anticipated White Hats’ gala dinner, which brought the Mekong Food Festival to a fitting close. This exclusive fundraising event was a great success, bringing together some 200 distinguished guests, renowned chefs and supporters of the Naomi Tami Scholarship Fund.

The guests enjoyed some fine performances by the Khmer Art Association

Renowned chefs Bobby Chinn and Luu Meng had created an exceptional menu for the occasion, combining the rich culinary traditions of the Mekong region with modern influences. Their collaboration created a unique gastronomic experience that delighted all the participants and showcased the incredible diversity of flavours from Cambodia and beyond.

The event was chaired by H.E. Hun Many, Minister of Civil Service, H.E. Dr Hangchuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, H.E. Sok Sobayna, Minister of Civil Service, and H.E. Dr Sok Siphanna, Senior Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia and Chairman of the Trade Policy Advisory Council. Their presence testifies to the importance of the festival as a platform for cultural exchange and youth empowerment.

H.E. Hun Many gave a heartfelt opening speech, praising the efforts of the festival organisers and expressing his encouragement for the Mekong Cuisine Festival to become an annual event. He stressed the importance of supporting local talent and promoting Cambodian cuisine on the international stage, reinforcing the festival's role in promoting cultural pride and economic development. H.E. Hun Many presented prizes to several students from each of the participating culinary schools in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

H.E. Hun Many also praised the students for their remarkable talent, creativity and dedication, recognising their role in showcasing the rich culinary diversity of the Mekong region. These words of encouragement should encourage the young chefs to hone their skills and continue to strive for excellence in their culinary careers.

The evening's guest of honour, Ms Abeer Farah, representing the Dubai Cares Foundation, gave an inspiring speech. Dubai Cares, one of the main supporters of the Academy of Culinary Arts of Cambodia (ACAC), highlighted the foundation's commitment to empowering young Cambodians through quality education, lifelong learning and skills development.

Pierre Tami (aka Sen Seila), President of Shift 360 and founder of ACAC, the organising body of the Mekong Food Festival, expressed his deep gratitude to the dignitaries, distinguished guests and partners for their unwavering support for the event and its mission. He emphasised the vital role played by the Naomi Scholarship Fund in transforming the lives of disadvantaged young people in the region, by giving them the opportunity to pursue careers in the culinary arts and hospitality.

“Through education and mentoring, we not only provide skills, but also dignity and hope for a better future," said Tami.

He also stressed the importance of ongoing collaboration between local and international partners to ensure the success of the scholarship fund and festival, noting that these efforts help foster cultural exchange and create meaningful opportunities for young talent around the world.

The White Hats gala dinner, an evening of culinary excellence and philanthropy

In addition to the exceptional culinary experience, guests were treated to beautiful performances by the Khmer Art Association. One of the highlights of the evening was the live auction, led by chef Bobby Chinn, which raised money for the Naomi Tami Scholarship Fund. Generous donations were made and exclusive items were auctioned off to enthusiastic bidders, supporting disadvantaged young people to continue their culinary education at the Academy of Culinary Arts of Cambodia (ACAC).

The event also welcomed students from across the region, including those from ACAC in Cambodia and participating hotel schools: Dusit Thani College in Thailand, Imperial International College in Vietnam, Star University in Myanmar and Pakpasak Technical College in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Their involvement added immense value to the event, promoting cross-border collaboration and the sharing of expertise in the hotel and restaurant industry.

Proceeds from the White Hats Gala Dinner will go directly to the Naomi Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to underprivileged students, enabling them to pursue careers in the hospitality and gastronomy sectors.