Ministry cookbook honoured with Best TV Segment Award
ANOTHER cookbook which celebrates the unique cuisine of Cambodia has been recognised at the World of Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, won the “Best Television Segment” award at last week’s award ceremony in Saudi Arabia.
The book, published as a part of the ministry’s culinary diplomacy programme, was honoured during the November 27-29 event in Riyadh, which was held alongside the Saudi Feast Food Festival, according to a ministry press statement.
Previously, the book was also awarded “Best Asian Cuisine Book” and the “Best Heads of State/Food” at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards” in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
“The book winning this year’s award reflects the ministry’s policy of promoting authentic Cambodian foods. It is a source of pride for efforts to get the world to appreciate the great legacy of a thousand-year-old culinary heritage,” added the ministry.
According to the ministry, the television award went to videos which depicted the cooking of recipes of seven dishes and two desserts which were taken from the book. The ministry’s National Institute of Diplomacy and International
Relations produced the videos.
It explained that the videos were used to help prepare Cambodian diplomats and their spouses before their missions abroad. A clear understanding of Cambodian cuisine – and how to cook it authentically and then explain its history – is an invaluable advantage when promoting the Kingdom’s foods and culture.
This would allow diplomatic staff to attract foreign tourists and investment, while also expanding the export of Cambodian agricultural products.
The ministry regarded culinary diplomacy as a cornerstone of its Economic Diplomacy Strategy, which was launched in 2021.
“The strategy aims to enhance Cambodia’s international standing and contribute
to achieving the government’s vision of becoming an uppermiddle-income country by 2030 and a high-income nation by 2050,” it said.
The television award follows the achievement of Chef Nak’s SAOY - Royal Cambodian Home Cuisine, which was honoured with the prestigious Best of the Best award in the publishers category at the same event.