PHNOM PENH: On September 19, 2024, the prestigious Raffles Hotel Le Royal hosted the highly anticipated White Hats Gala Dinner, marking a grand conclusion to the Mekong Food Festival. The exclusive fundraising event was a resounding success, bringing 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 an extraordinary menu for the evening, combining the rich culinary traditions of the Mekong region with modern influences. Their collaboration created a unique dining experience that delighted all attendees and showcased the incredible diversity of flavours from Cambodia and beyond.
The event was presided over by H.E. Hun Many, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the
Ministry 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 of the Royal Government of Cambodia and Chairman of the Trade
Policy Advisory Board. Their presence reflected the importance of the festival as a platform for cultural exchange and youth empowerment.
H.E. Hun Many delivered a heartfelt keynote speech, commending the efforts of the festival’s 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. H.E. Hun Many presented awards to outstanding students from each of the participating culinary schools from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. He praised the students for their remarkable talents, creativity, and dedication, acknowledging their role in showcasing the rich culinary diversity of the Mekong region. His words of encouragement inspired the young chefs to continue honing their skills and pursue excellence in their culinary careers. Please add the fact these students and their director were personally awarded by DPM.
The evening’s guest of honour, Ms. Abeer Farah, representing the Dubai Cares Foundation,
addressed the audience with an inspiring speech. Dubai Cares, a key supporter of the Academy of Culinary Arts Cambodia (ACAC), highlighted the foundation’s commitment to empowering young Cambodians through high-quality education, lifelong learning and skills development. A moving video presentation showcased the success stories of young Cambodian students who have had benefited from the Naomi Scholarship Fund and have gone on to secure employment at prestigious five-star hotels in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, underscoring the impact of the scholarships.
Pierre Tami (aka Sen Seila), President of Shift 360 and founder of ACAC, the organising body behind the Mekong Food Festival, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the 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.
In addition to the exceptional culinary experience, guests were treated to captivating Khmer cultural performances by the Khmer Art Association that celebrated Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage. A highlight of the evening was the live auction, led by Chef Bobby Chinn, which raised funds for the Naomi Tami Scholarship Fund. Generous donations were made, with exclusive items and experiences auctioned off to enthusiastic bidders, furthering the cause of supporting underprivileged youth in pursuing their culinary education at the Academy of Culinary Arts of Cambodia (ACAC).
We were thrilled to welcome students from across the region, including those from ACAC in
Cambodia and the participating hospitality schools: Dusit Thani College in Thailand, Imperial International College in Vietnam, Star University in Myanmar, and Pakpasak Technical College in Lao PDR. Their involvement added immense value to the event, fostering cross-border collaboration and sharing of expertise in the hospitality sector.
Proceeds from the White Hats Gala Dinner will directly benefit the Naomi Scholarship Fund.
which provides financial assistance to disadvantaged students, enabling them to pursue careers in the hospitality and culinary sectors. This initiative is a vital component of the Academy’s mission to create opportunities for youth across the Greater Mekong Subregion, helping them build a brighter future through education and skills development.
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. Their collective support and commitment to empowering the next generation of chefs and promoting cultural exchange was evident throughout the evening, making the White Hats Gala Dinner a true celebration of culinary excellence and philanthropy.
Photo by: Supplied
