06/08/2026
Friday, 31.07.26 Novotel Sihanoukville Cambodia
The last collaborative dinner of our journey in Cambodia.
We achieved amazing things.... raising money for , the opportunity for Spoons Alumni to individually speak (they used all their courage to get up on that stage and say a few words about themselves. Us chefs stood in line at the foot of the stage, while the Alumni stood behind us, and one by one, introduced themselves and told us which province they are from and what year they graduated. I could tell they had been practicing hard on what to say. Their nerves got in the way, but they pushed on and stood proud. I was overwhelmed by their humility and their bravery. Most of them had never spoken publicly and to be able to do that in front of a large audience just shows how far they had come in their self-development and self-confidence. I could not help it but shed tears as I listened to them speak.
The dinner was incredible.
My dish was the first one.
I did Oysters & Prawns
Highlighting Australian flavours: finger limes, desert limes , Clare Valley extra virgin olive oil, house made Worcestershire sauce from local Cambodian pickled spring onions (I had brought all the Aussie ingredients with me in my suitcase with a lot of ice packs!)
The dish looked beautiful and tasted so delicious!
All other courses were standouts, and we were all immensely proud of what we had achieved. The Alumni graduates were so helpful, and they were with us from start to finish.
There was local music, cultural dancing and we even held an auction which raised a substantial amount of funds for Spoons.
After the dinner, when the guests had left, we took about a zillion photos together; the staff from Novotel, and us, international chefs, and organizers. We did not want the night to end!
We all ended up around a great big round table, drinking cold beers and chatting until the early hours of the morning!
Thank you to @simon_millcock Australian Volunteers Program
To all the new Friends that I have made, I will miss you but it is not a goodbye itβs just a See You later!
