The Mekong Food Festival, a three-day event organized by Shift360, has brought together six prestigious hospitality schools from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand. The event aims to empower young culinary talents, promote regional ingredients, and showcase the rich flavors of the Mekong Region.
Day 1: Warm Welcomes and Masterclass with Celebrity Chef Bobby Chinn
The first day of the festival kicked off with a warm welcome to students and school directors from across the Mekong Region, including representatives from:
- The Dusit Thani College and the First Class Academy (Thailand),
- The Imperial International Hospitality Management College (Vietnam),
- The Star University (Myanmar),
- The Pakpasak Technical College (Laos),
- and the Academy of Culinary Arts Cambodia.
The day began with coffee and introductions at ACAC, followed by high-level discussions among the school directors. These discussions focused on the challenges and opportunities in education across the region, as well as the potential for collaboration to enhance culinary education in the Mekong Region.
While the directors met, students participated in a special Masterclass led by Celebrity Bobby Chinn, an internationally recognized chef, television presenter, restaurateur, and author, who captivated the students by demonstrating the preparation of a lobster dish. With his rich background, including hosting Discovery TLC’s World Cafe and judging Top Chef Middle East, Chef Chinn also shared his personal journey in the culinary world, offering invaluable insight to the young chefs.
Following the masterclass, everyone gathered for lunch at the ACAC restaurant before students dove into preparations for the much-anticipated Cocktail Reception on Day 2.
Day 2: Cocktail Reception and the Declaration of Intent
As Day 2 unfolded, both students and faculty worked tirelessly to prepare for the evening’s Cocktail Reception. By evening, ACAC’s restaurant was bustling with activity as students from all the schools collaborated on crafting exquisite dishes that reflected the unique flavors of their respective regions.
The evening commenced with a welcome drink, followed by speeches from distinguished guests including:
- Mr. Bruno Cardone, Dean of ACAC,
- Mr. Pierre Tami, Founder of Shift360 and organizer of the Mekong Food Festival,
- Celebrity Chef Bobby Chinn,
- H.E. Minister Hem Vanndy from the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation,
- and representatives from all participating schools.
A significant moment of the evening was the signing of the Declaration of Intent for the Mekong Network of Hospitality Schools—a step toward fostering closer collaboration among hospitality institutions across the Mekong Region.
Over 100 guests, including high-profile industry leaders, attended the reception and enjoyed a diverse selection of small plates and cocktails. The dishes were a tribute to the rich and varied culinary traditions of the Mekong, prepared by students and chefs from each participating school, under the mentorship of Chef Bobby Chinn.
Day 3: The White Hats Gala Dinner
The festival’s grand finale was the White Hats Gala Dinner at the prestigious Raffles Hotel Le Royal Phnom Penh. This charitable event featured a menu showcasing the very best of Mekong cuisine, with dishes prepared by Celebrity Chef Bobby Chinn and Chef Luu Meng, Asia’s Top Chef in 2014. They were supported by talented students from the participating schools.
This special evening not only celebrated culinary arts but also the cultural exchange between the participating countries, marking the Mekong Food Festival as a remarkable initiative for the region. The White Hats Gala Dinner is a night to remember, drawing attention to the importance of local ingredients and fostering future leaders in the hospitality industry.
Special Guests of Honor: H.E. Mr. HUN Many, Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia and H.E. Dr. Hang Choun Narong, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport as well as esteemed VIP Representatives from various Embassies such as Thailand and Vietnam.
The Vision and Objectives
The Mekong Food Festival aspires to:
- Debut the Mekong Food Festival Annually – Establish the event as a must-attend culinary festival in Phnom Penh, showcasing top chefs and emerging talents from across the Mekong Region.
- Provide Mentorship by Celebrity Chefs – Offering young chefs invaluable mentorship from renowned chefs like Bobby Chinn.
- Support Aspiring Chefs – Promoting unique dishes using local Mekong ingredients, and raising funds for the Naomi Scholarships, which support hospitality students.
- Engage Dubai Business Leaders – Invite Dubai-based industry leaders to explore the culinary and business potential of the Mekong Region.
- Launch Global Culinary Careers – Offer promising chefs the opportunity to start international careers, including placements in Dubai’s dynamic hospitality sector.
Looking Forward
The Mekong Food Festival not only celebrates the culinary diversity of the Mekong Region but also fosters collaboration, mentorship, and cultural exchange among the future leaders of the hospitality industry. With the success of this inaugural event, the Mekong Food Festival is set to become a cornerstone of Phnom Penh’s culinary calendar.
Stay tuned as the festival continues to elevate the Mekong’s regional food culture and support the next generation of talented chefs who will carry these traditions into the future.