Rosewood Phnom Penh unveiled its first-ever "Taste of Cambodia," a culinary showcase that highlighted the country's burgeoning food scene. Running between 12 to 15 September, the event was a series of exclusive kitchen and bar takeovers, star-studded chef collabs, and an indulgent Sunday brunch... all while putting Cambodian ingredients and culinary traditions front and centre.

One of the standout features of this event is its commitment to community, with a charity dinner on 14 September to support Smiling Gecko, an organisation dedicated to helping thousands of Khmer families through education, training, and sustainable farming initiatives. The evening united five top chefs for a philanthropic dining experience, celebrating both Cambodia’s culinary promise and its cultural heritage.

“'The Taste of Cambodia' is more than just an event—it’s a nod to the country’s growing presence on the global dining stage,” says Daniel Simon, managing director of Rosewood Phnom Penh. “We’re blending international and local flavours to highlight Cambodia’s dynamic future, and the partnerships we’ve curated speak volumes about the country’s culinary potential.”

The event begins with a Nikka Whisky takeover at the Whisky Library, marking the Japanese brand’s first year-long collaboration in Cambodia. It was also the moment where Nikka announced a bottle to commemorate the brand's 90 years in the whisky business: the Nikka Nine Decades. While it wasn't readily available for tasting; guests still had the chance to sip Nikka’s other refined spirits while soaking in the cozy ambiance of the library-style bar.

Hailing from Sapporo, Bar OWL&ROOSTER took over Sora’s rooftop bar. Bar OWL&ROOSTER has reaped the spoils from its choices since opening during COVID, nabbing a spot in The 50 Best Bars in the 2022 Discovery Bar award category. Founder and mixologist Hisatsugu Saito worked the shift at Sora, crafting his famed Nikka Whisky cocktails, paired with oysters and sparkling wine sets.

Chef Alexis Moko of Kyoto’s Michelin-starred Moko brought his seasonal, French-Japanese fusion dishes to CUTS steakhouse. Set menus abound with beef striploin with fermented black garlic and sea bass with Champagne sauce and caviar. Rosewood Phnom Penh’s own Chef Teng Kam Seng joined forces with Chef Matthew Geng of Rosewood Bangkok’s Nan Bei for a four-hands dinner at Zhan Liang and delivered a masterclass in refined Chinese cuisine.

For the charity dinner to raise funds for Smiling Gecko, five acclaimed chefs—including Cambodia's own Sothea Seng, Mariya Un Noun, and Sopheak Sao—collaborated on a 10-hands meal. Dishes like Ambok rice-crusted scallops and chocolate desserts were the highlight of the evening. But all good things must end and the Taste of Cambodia went out with a bang with a lavish Sunday brunch at Brasserie Louis. Free-flow sparkling wine, live carving stations, and a blend of French and Khmer culinary delights were the order of the day.

Whether through creative cocktails, Michelin-starred bites, or the celebration of local produce, Taste of Cambodia not only highlights the Rosewood Phnom Penh as a key player in Cambodia’s evolving food scene but the country as well.

For more details on Rosewood Phnom Penh's future activities, click here