Chef Nak: A Global Mission | Prestige Online
Cambodia’s first female celebrity chef, ROTANAK ROS, on her vision to introduce Khmer cuisine to the world.
With the ambition to promote Khmer culture through its national cuisine, Chef Rotanak Ros, also known as Chef Nak, is on a mission to preserve and nurture Cambodian cuisine within the country and around the world, while also inspiring further innovation in Cambodian culinary art.
Since 2017, after a stint at a nonprofit, Chef Rotanak started focusing on Cambodian cooking and embarked on a concept called ‘Chef Nak Luxury Home Dining’, where she would host exclusive dinner parties for select groups at her house by the Mekong River, north of Phnom Penh. It was also the start of her journey to rural areas to record the ingredients and methods, and learn how to cook Khmer food. That eventually led to the publication of her first cookbook in 2019, titled Nhum, meaning ‘to eat’ (available in Khmer and English). Chef Rotanak has also worked closely with UNICEF, the World Food Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, GIZ, IDE, and HBS to promote healthy cooking and food safety practices for families and children in Cambodia.
The loving wife and caring mother to two sons, has since developed and expanded her Home Dining concept; she now has a combination of two Khmer antique wooden houses, one from Battambang and another from Siem Reap at the same location, providing a more special experience to customers. After successfully selling her first cookbook in 40 countries, she released her second book SAOY: Royal Cambodian Home Cuisine at the prestigious Rosewood Phnom Penh last June. The Chef ’s vision is to see Cambodian culinary art become well-known and appreciated globally.
What is it like to have a meal at Chef Nak Luxury Home Dining?
At Chef Nak Culinary Art Center, we provide private cooking classes of about four to five hours, and I directly guide the students; you will explore Cambodia’s unique blend of sweet, salty, and sour flavours, and learn the secret of traditional techniques and recipes that have been passed down for generations. At Luxury Home Dining, you will get an unforgettable dining experience in a beautiful antique wooden house and a vegetable garden, where you will explore delicious home-cooked food, hear stories of our local ingredients and dishes, and watch a live performance by our local artistes. At the luxury homestay, you will experience what it’s like to live in a centuries-old wooden house that offers a unique blend of comfort, privacy, and traditional charm, accompanied by the lush greenery of our tropical outdoor bathroom. You will relax in our natural swimming pool, all of which makes for a memorable retreat.
Chef Nak Private Luxury Cooking Class:
What are the secrets of Khmer Foods?
It is deeply rooted in a rich culinary heritage, passed down from our ancestors for many generations, as can be seen on the bar relief of the Bayon Temple. The cuisine is very diverse and can be pretty different, depending on the regions or part of the country, however, the flavour is often very well-balanced between salty, sour, and sweet. Additionally, due to the geographical and climatic conditions, many ingredients are available that are very suitable for Cambodian cooking and are healthy to eat. Lastly, we’re friendly people, we love sharing ingredients and dishes (especially in the countryside). We are also creative about how we cook, so when there are influences from different countries, we create our own version to make it even more interesting and tasty, and to incorporate it into our existing palate.
Could you tell us a little bit about your new cookbook SAOY?
SAOY: Royal Cambodian Home Cuisine is not just a cookbook; it’s an invitation to savour the flavours of Cambodia and to embrace the culinary traditions that have been forgotten for many years. This remarkable piece of art features captivating murals from The Royal Palace, exquisite food photographs by the acclaimed Lamo Photography, and original paintings by the talented Cambodian artist, Serey Sot. Serving as a comprehensive guide, this remarkable treasure becomes a passport to a captivating tour, offering a glimpse into the tantalising world of Cambodian flavours, cultural traditions, and the comforting embrace of royal home-cooked meals.
What are your thoughts on women choosing to become chefs, when most of the chefs in the industry are men?
This might be the most difficult question. I asked myself this some years ago! I know there may be challenges or biases that we (women) face in the industry, but it is important that we all stand up to promote equality and provide opportunities for aspiring female chefs to thrive. Everyone should have the freedom to choose their career path based on their passion, skills, and interests, regardless of gender. Women who choose to become chefs bring their unique perspectives, creativity, and talents to the table, enriching the culinary world with their diverse culinary experiences. Ultimately, what matters most is the skill, dedication, and love that individuals bring to their profession, gender notwithstanding.
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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