Raffles Hotel Le Royal, one of Cambodia‘s most iconic hotels, is set to welcome Michelin-starred French Chef Patrice Hardy, who will present some of his most celebrated culinary creations during two days of exclusive meals at the hotel’s renowned Restaurant Le Royal on March 30 and 31. Chef Patrice’s gastronomic expertise draws from his extensive experience in illustrious restaurants worldwide, including the two-Michelin-starred Le Palme d’Or at Hotel Martinez in Cannes and the one-Michelin-starred La Brettonnière in Boulogne-Billancourt and La Truffe Noire in Neuilly. The back-to-back lunch and dinner offerings will feature highlights from his latest culinary venture, Le Mazet, located on France’s southern coast. The Michelin Guide has praised Chef Patrice’s love for fine produce, particularly truffles, which feature prominently on his special dinner menu. Dinner guests will savour a five-course meal that includes a veal tartare with Borghi truffle, goose liver in “Bonbonnière” with green asparagus and yellow wine emulsion, poached sea bass with artichoke duo and truffle butter, beef onglet marinated with caramelised shallots and red cabbage, and a sumptuous bread pudding with aged cognac siphon and apple-prune purée. The dinner is priced at $95++. For lunch, guests can choose from a three-course menu that features creamy Parmesan cheese soup with poached egg or marinated mackerel fillets with beetroot and ketchup sorbet. The main course includes Takeo River lobster risotto spicy bisque or free-range chicken supreme stuffed with potato mash and cola sauce, and a dark chocolate tart with parsley ice cream to conclude. Lunch is priced at $38++. To complement the exquisite meals, guests will also have the opportunity to discover the exclusive Louis XIII Cognac Experience, which will be served tableside from a decanter. Wine pairings are also available for both lunches and dinners. Seating for this exclusive event is limited, and advanced reservations are required. For inquiries and reservations, please contact Raffles Hotel Le Royal at Tel: 023 981 888 or email: dining.leroyal@raffles.com.

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Sunrise Cambodia provides a safe and nurturing learning environment to children living some of the most impoverished communities in the world. Sunrise Cambodiais the registered Australian charity I founded in 1993, which supports Sunrise Children’s Villages, where they have a residential centre for at-risk children, giving 24/7 care to more than 100 children, 20 kms from Phnom Penh.  The children that come to us have often been trafficked into prostitution, slave labour, begging rings, illegal adoption rings, are victims of domestic violence due to parental alcoholism or drug dependency, abandoned in hospitals by their families,  disabled or live on the streets to survive. As a result, they are in great need emotionally and physically when they arrive at Sunrise Cambodia. At Sunrise Cambodia these poor young victims are rescued from their terrible situation in life, and provided a home, food, clothing, government school, medical and dental care, English, Mandarin and computer lessons, classes in music, art, dance and sport, but more important of all, love.  They provide university studies in Cambodia when they pass Grade 12 and they cover other living costs for them outside Sunrise Cambodia for these students. For the students who do not pass, they give them vocational training courses in car repair, air conditioning maintenance, plumbing, electricity, printing, administration, management, hospitality and beauty. No one leaves us without a job and the means to live an independent life. In addition, they support more than 150 disadvantaged community children from neighbouring villages. Their parents are often very poor rice farmers, who cannot provide their children such a good start in life.  At Sunrise Cambodia they receive the same educational opportunities as our residential children and return home at the end of the day to live with their families. ABOUT SUNRISE CAMBODIA Sunrise Cambodia is a world-class charity working on the ground in Cambodia to give much-needed help to at-risk kids, struggling families and poor communities in some of the most poverty-stricken provinces of the country. Cambodia has a heart breaking recent history which has crippled this beautiful south east Asian country. During the 1960s and ’70s, while civil war raged in Cambodia, the USA carpet bombed the Cambodian countryside. The communists won the civil war and over the next four years, more than a quarter of the population was systematically murdered by its leader, Pol Pot. More than thirty years later, the disastrous impact on the gentle-natured people of Cambodia is still profound. Sunrise Cambodia began in the early 1990s when a South Australian fifty-year old named Geraldine Cox began a small orphanage to care for the some of the orphaned grandchildren from Pol Pot’s regime. Unable to have her own children, Geraldine became “Mum to Many” as she took in street kids, orphans and the disabled to give them good food, a place to sleep, an education and lots of love. With the need so great, Sunrise Cambodia has grown to support whole communities with the basics for survival: clean water, sanitation and healthcare, followed by education. We have 100 Cambodian staff and a small fundraising team in Australia. The work of Sunrise Cambodia is entirely funded by generous donors. For information and donations, contact: https://www.sunrisecambodia.org.au/ https://www.facebook.com/sunrisecambodia/ hq@sunrisecambodia.org.au

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Here are some enticing Valentine’s deals from luxury resorts around Southeast Asia: Meliá Koh Samui The first Meliá resort to debut in Thailand will serve a gourmet five-course dinner in a private sala this Valentine’s Day on the sands of peaceful Choeng Mon Beach overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. Served from 7pm and priced at THB 4800 (USD 144.40) per couple, or THB 7980 (USD 240) with wine pairing, Meliá Koh Samui’s indulgent experience begins with ‘63˚C Egg’ served with pata negra, potato, black truffle and chives, and then fresh raw Fin de Claire Oysters with raspberry, salmon roe and caviar, followed by trout with green apple, cucumber and fennel. The star attractions are the Canadian lobster bisque served with Jerusalem artichoke and tarragon and Black Angus sour vide with carrots, beets and duck fat potato. The intimate dinner ends with Valrhona served with forest berries, hazelnut and salted caramel. For further information or to make a reservation, call +66 (0) 77 938 899, email breeza.kohsamui@melia.com or reach out to @meliakohsamui on LINE. Meliá Phuket Mai Khao Situated on Phuket’s secluded Mai Khao Beach overlooking the Andaman Sea, Meliá Phuket Mai Khao will celebrate its first Valentine’s Day with a private beach barbeque dinner.  The resort, which opened on December 1, 2021, will serve a Western four-course “surf and turf” themed dinner for two with the likes of lobster, wagyu beef, truffle and oysters. Staged at the resort’s lawn adjacent to the sand, the dinner comes with a complimentary nitro cocktail and optional wine and champagne. The intimate affair starts at 6pm to make the most of Mai Khao beach’s spectacular sunset and is priced at THB 5,900++ (USD 178++) per couple for dinner only, THB 6,900++ (USD 208++) per couple for an additional welcome cocktail and bottle of wine, and THB 9,900++ (USD 299++) for an additional welcome cocktail and bottle of champagne.  For more information or to make a reservation, please call call +66 76 563 550 or email info@meliaphuketmaikhao.com Banyan Tree Krabi An intimate candlelit dinner will be on the Valentine’s Day menu at this splendid new resort on tranquil Tubkaek Beach in Krabi. Situated on the hotel’s beach lawn with a spectacular vista of the towering karst cliffs that jut from the sea in Than Bok Khorani national marine park, a special three-course set meal will be served as diners are serenaded by a trio. The price of 7,999 THB per couple includes dining, a bottle of Bottega Gold Prosecco, and one long-stemmed rose. For more information or reservations, call (075) 811 888, or go to: https://www.banyantree.com/thailand/krabi Banyan Tree Samui The spectacular venue of Saffron Restaurant at Banyan Tree Samui proves an idyllic panoramic vista of the sea and all the ingredients for romance this Valentine’s with a signature 3-Course Degustation Set Menu (THB 1,800 nett per person). Alternatively, a 6-Course Valentine’s Day Dinner on the Beach is also available (THB 5,500 nett per person, including one 200ml bottle of Moet & Chandon Rose) or an afternoon Valentine’s High Tea Set (THB 1,699 nett for 2 persons). Couples may also want to indulge in a special Art of Romance spa package at any time throughout the month of February – the choice of a 30-min body scrub, a 60-min body massage or a 30-minute Romance Bath plus one complimentary Wellbeing Sanctuary activity (12,000 THB per couple). For reservations: samui@banyantree.com Raffles Le Royal Opened in 1929, this vintage-era hotel is the perfect spot for an exquisitely classical Valentine’s Day dinner for those in the Cambodian capital Phnom Pen. Couples staying at Le Royal between the 12th and 15th of February will enjoy a promotional rate of US$415 per night, which includes a Romantic Champagne Dinner for two at the recently launched Le Phnom 1929 restaurant, one bottle of Deutz Champagne, and a daily complimentary Champagne Breakfast for two. As an extra touch, Valentine’s guests will be welcomed upon arrival with the hotel bar’s signature Femme Fatale cocktail, famously created for US First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy when she visited in the 1960s. Walk-in guests can also book a Valentine’s Day set dinner ($140 per couple). For reservations: Tel +855 23 981 888 | +855 16 700 468 (Telegram or Whatsapp); Email: bookus.phnompenh@raffles.com – Valentine’s Dinner only: Tel: +855 23 981 888; Email: dining.leroyal@raffles.com Alma Resort Cam Ranh Overlooking Long Beach, Alma offers Valentine’s Day experiences ranging from a private boat tour on a lagoon to a candle-lit seafood barbeque with roses. Breakfast in a floating heart-shaped tray at a private pavilion pool features the likes of fruit, sweets, bubbles and a rose. Couples will learn about the life of the local fishermen, watch the sunset and savor snacks, drinks and a Vietnamese BBQ dinner on a private boat on nearby Thuy Trieu Lagoon. Another dinner option involves a private chef and waiter setting up a table with candles and roses and serving the private seafood barbecue with red wine on the resort’s hill with spectacular beach views. Romantic movies will also air at Alma Cinema accompanied with snacks and sweets. Visit alma-resort.com, email info@alma-resort.com or call +84 258 399 1666. Azerai La Residence, Hue In Vietnam’s former imperial capital, sweethearts can enjoy a romantic dinner for two overlooking the fabled Perfume River at Azerai La Residence, Hue. The multi-course Valentine’s Day menu starts with a local specialty, Lang Co oyster and saffron soup, followed by seared sea scallop with honey-lime dressing and crispy vegetables. The main course offers a choice of pan-fried sea bass with arugula salad, purple potato mashed and black olive salsa or a grilled Australian striploin marinated with lemongrass, sauteed baby bok-choy, roasted Da Lat potato and mushroom sauce. Dessert is coffee ice cream. The Valentine’s Day menu is priced at VND 590,000 per person. For more information or to make a booking, visit https://azerai.com/resorts/azerai-la-residence-hue/ or call +84 (0) 234 3837 475. Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Celebrate the holiday of love on Feb. 14 with two special dining options at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. At angelina, the hotel’s...

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La Table Khmere 11E street 278, Phnom Pen, Cambodia info@la-table-khmere.com  www.la-table-khmere.com  www.facebook.com/latablekhmere?fref=ts   Before travelling to Cambodia I had thought that the food there would be much similar to Thailand, but I had also heard people saying how their gastronomy is so rich and varied, with tastes and flavors which much differ from its neighboring countries. I was so curious about this that I immediately booked a class to learn how to cook Cambodian cuisine at La Table Khmere. It was a steamy hot afternoon in Phnom Pen. My class was at 3pm at renowned restaurant La Table Khmere, located not so far from the hotel where I was staying, so I made my way there on foot. Tucked away in a side street, the 278, and not far from the Independence Monument, the place was easy to find. The entrance is well marked and the minimalistic and stylish ambience with art-deco furnishing and green/grey tones gave me an immediate good impression. I was warmly welcomed by a smiling team of young, uniformed staff with a perfect English and great manners. Miss Saree and Miss Sokrai introduced themselves as my cooking teachers for the day. The two provided me with a signature black apron and took me to the impressive kitchen right at the rear of the restaurant area, behind a glass wall. The air-conditioned lab room specially designed for the cooking classes was spacious, and the long stainless steel central countertop was well organized and had 13 cooking stations. I was directed to mine, which was well-organized and complete of a stove, all sort of pans and cooking utensils, and I was soon ready to start my Cambodian culinary experience. The three course menu of Khmer dishes we were going to produce from scratch included a starter of Mango salad, Amok as a main dish and a Bananas in coconut milk as a dessert. It sounded yummy even before we started cooking, but, would I be able to achieve goodness? Saree and Sokrai were more than confident that, under their supervision, I would. To fully understand and appreciate most cuisines of the world, it is imperative to become familiar with the various raw ingredients in their natural state, and this is more than true in the case of Khmer cuisine. I was given a full set of ingredients cleaned in purifying water from the sinks at the far end of the room, and was prompted to follow Saree way of preparing them, copying her chopping and mixing methods: a real hands-on experience! All the while, Sokrai gave me explanation on the ingredients we were using, on the way we were preparing them and why, correcting me and laughing at every mistake I made – not many I must say, but I am a messy cook and this entertained them a lot, especially when, upon attempting to divide the egg yolk from the red, most of the yolk went straight to the floor! Pounding all the Amok ingredients in a mortar was a particularly tiring yet constructive experience, one that makes learners realize what kind of long preparation there is behind a common inexpensive dish we can easily order at any Cambodian restaurant in town, something we usually take for granted. It took me a good two hours to get the three dishes done; I enjoyed so much the class, the relaxed, clean and friendly environment and the fact that the class was taught in a fun way. I must point out that, like in most teaching/learning experiences, the teachers did make the difference with their great spirit and good English! I was dismissed with a Pass, I sat at one of the restaurant tables and waited to be served dinner at La Table Khmere. I loved all the three dishes I was served, they were tasty and yummy indeed, and at the end I insisted on congratulating the chef personally… LA TABLE KHMERE’S COOKING CLASS Classes take place daily at 9am (3hours 30mins, price US$ 20) and 3pm (3hours, price US$ 19), and the maximum of participants is 13. The classes include a visit to the local market (this for the morning classes only), refreshments, all cooking ingredients, hands-on preparation of the daily dishes with instruction by their cooking class team, and the final enjoyment of your freshly prepared dishes. Nothing is needed, all will be provided. Bookings can be made either directly with their waiter/waitresses or by using their ‘about us‘ form at www.la-table-khmere.com  La table khmere also offers private cooking classes upon request. The rate depends on the number of participants and the dishes chosen. LA TABLE KHMERE’S RESTAURANT If cooking is not for you, La Table Khmere invites you to taste the flavor of traditional Khmer specialties and fusion cuisine in a stylish ambiance and atmosphere. You can choose from their à-la-carte menu with a wide range of Khmer dishes and house specialties freshly prepared and cooked to order. Their daily special lunch menu includes a soft drink or a draft beer: read about it on the board! Their Khmer Set Menu is recommended if you want to make the most of your dining experience: it comprises of a little of everything, a delightful opportunity to savor as many of their chef’s specialties in one sitting.

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Pandan Boutique Hotel #15A st282 Boeung Keng Kong 1, Chamkarmon Phnom Penh, Cambodia tel (855) 16 721 207 – (855) 77 881 175 website: www.pandanboutiquehotel.com email: info@pandanboutiquehotel.com Pandan Boutique Hotel is a new establishment in the earth of Phnom Pen, tucked away in a quiet, not so busy leafy street. If location is a must for you, then this hotel is ideal: strategically located at walking distance from shopping and business district, banks, clothes boutiques, handicrafts, cafes and a great choice of restaurants, Pandan Boutique Hotel is also within walking distance from the Independence Monument, 5 minutes drive to the Royal Palace and 10 minutes drive to the Tonle Sap riverside. Pandan Boutique Hotel offers a choice of 26 large rooms with a unique and classy design. I accommodated myself in mine, that was spacious and elegant, with a wooden parquet floor and classy hardwood furnishings all round. The double bed was firm and comfortable, with a soft duvet and pillows. The bathroom has a walk-in shower, fittings are modern, and there is a nice range of fragrant, natural bath products. I spotted immediately the large safe and the water boiler complete with a few sets of instant coffee and teas. But it is the staff the real bonus of Pandan Boutique Hotel. Khun Vimol at the front desk was simply helpful, and with her husband manage the establishment. The rest of the team is active and attentive to your needs can help you book a tour, chose a restaurant and can get you a tuktuk at the right price. The room cleaners were really thorough and even tidied up my clothes and stuff. Everybody will go the extra mile to ensure your comfort and ease and are always on hand to meet your needs. Breakfast is included in the room price. There was a good choice of breakfast items in the menu: in-season fruit platter, bread and delicious jams, eggs cooked in a variety of ways and fried rice, together with tea, coffee or fruit juices. The restaurant also offers a lunch and dinner menu, served in the quiet and pleasantly landscaped garden of Pandan Boutique Hotel, complete with lots of orchids. There is no pool but apparently you can use the pool in Goldiana across the road for $5. The team offer daily cleaning, laundry, dry cleaning and pressing service. I loved my stay at Pandan Boutique Hotel, which mostly met my requirements: you can tell from the air of simplicity that nothing is pretentious and that the place still retains an old charm. My sleeps were long and undisturbed. What more could you want to have from a hotel?  

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