Cambodia Brings Khmer Cuisine to the World Table: Chef Sao Sopheak Headlines Live Cooking Display at SIAL Paris 2026

Phnom Penh, 26 October 2026 — The Cambodia Pavilion at SIAL Paris 2026 came alive with the aromas and artistry of Khmer cuisine as Chef Sao Sopheak, Head Chef of Malis Restaurant in Siem Reap, took centre stage for a live cooking display and food tasting that drew international guests, buyers, and dignitaries alike.

The demonstration formed a vibrant part of the Ministry of Commerce's pavilion, organized with joint support from the European Union and the Federal Government of Germany under the theme "Cambodia: Basket of Wonders"—a deliberate push to raise Cambodia's international profile, promote exports, and cement its reputation as a reliable supply partner in global markets.

On the afternoon of Monday, 19 October 2026, Her Excellency CHAM Nimul, Minister of Commerce, visited the pavilion, honorably accompanied by His Excellency DITH Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, alongside the accompanying delegation, representatives from the Royal Embassy of Cambodia to France, representatives from the EU-German GATE project of GIZ Cambodia, representatives of Cambodian enterprises, and numerous international business partners.

Chef Sopheak's live cooking display added a sensory dimension to a pavilion already rich in Khmer identity, where 16 Cambodian companies showcased high-potential products—cashew nuts, dried tropical fruits (especially dried mangoes), pepper, spices, ready-to-cook culinary products, and other premium goods. Business networking tables, product display areas, cultural art performances, and a trade information desk rounded out the experience, actively inviting international buyers, distributors, and investors to explore Cambodian products and strike new business deals on-site.

For Chef Sopheak—who has championed Khmer cuisine internationally through his contributions to "The Taste of Angkor" cookbook and his recent competition success in France—the event offered another global platform to prove that Cambodian food can stand alongside the world's finest culinary traditions, celebrated for its balance, complexity, and elegance.

The Cambodia Pavilion was located in Hall 7, Stand J-347. SIAL Paris 2026 ran from 17 to 21 October 2026, featuring nearly 8,000 exhibitors from 130 countries and expecting over 285,000 trade visitors—a truly world-class stage for Cambodia's flavours.

Reported by The Khmer Today