Defender of Cambodian Cuisine
"I am passionate about Cambodia's rich culinary heritage, firmly believing that Cambodian cuisine represents an undiscovered treasure trove. Food is a unifying force, bringing people together, and for Cambodia, it holds the power to significantly impact not just the tourism industry but also make a meaningful contribution to society."
The devastating civil war in Cambodia claimed the lives of millions, wiping out a third of the Cambodian population and along with it, the precious memories of our unique Khmer culture, including our treasured national cuisine. Food and cooking serve as vital components of any culture, yet as the survivors of this genocide grow older, the invaluable recipes and memories are vanishing.
Chef Nak has dedicated her life's work to preserving these traditional recipes. Over the last five years, she has collaborated closely with families, especially elderly Cambodians across the nation, meticulously documenting and sharing this irreplaceable aspect of Khmer culture with both future generations and the wider world.
ROS ROTANAK
About the chef
Ros Rotanak (Chef Nak) is Cambodia’s first female celebrity chef, with the mission to preserve and develop Cambodian cuisine and bring it to the global stage. Having appeared on multiple national and international media, as well as publishing her first book in 2019, she is passionate about preserving and celebrating Khmer culture through food.
“I'm inspired to discover Cambodia's hidden delicacies through intimate conversations with the elderly villagers, honoring the knowledge of grandparents who recall the names, tastes, textures, and ingredients of recipes passed down through generations. Their memories represent a treasure trove of forgotten culinary heritage waiting to be discovered.”
Chef Nak, a passionate culinary enthusiast, wellness advocate, dedicated wife, and mother of two kids, finds enormous satisfaction in sharing her culinary expertise through many platforms. She tirelessly shares her skills through her cookbooks, captivating cooking classes and workshops, home dining experiences, restaurant consulting, and appearances on online culinary shows. Chef Nak mainly operates these culinary activities from her culinary art center and her home just outside Phnom Penh. Chef Nak hosts exclusive private dinner events and serves genuine Khmer cuisine, delivering an intimate and outstanding dining experience enhanced by live traditional performing arts.
Beyond her contributions to the fine dining industry and authoring cookbooks, Chef Nak extends her expertise to consulting for organizations dedicated to enhancing nutrition in Cambodia and Southeast Asia. Collaborating closely with esteemed entities such as UNICEF, the World Food Program, the Food and Agriculture Organization, GIZ, IDE, the World Bank, and HBS, she champions healthy cooking and food safety practices for both children and families. In 2019, she unveiled 'Nhum,' her culinary masterpiece embodying the essence of eating in Khmer culture. Her latest cookbook, 'SAOY,' achieved the esteemed accolade of being hailed 'The Best Cookbook in the World' by the Gourmand Award.