CIR Life & Luxury
Australia reaffirmed its position as a global leader in premium food and wine exports through the launch of Taste of Australia 2025, a flagship event hosted by the Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh. The event forms part of a broader regional initiative aimed at deepening trade, cultural, and diplomatic ties across Southeast Asia through gastronomy.
Held at Rosewood Phnom Penh, the high-profile dinner welcomed senior Cambodian government officials, business leaders, media representatives, and prominent figures from Cambodia’s fine dining sector. Guests were presented with a curated menu designed to highlight the diversity and quality of Australian food and wine products now available in the Kingdom.
Showcasing Australia’s Best on Cambodian Soil
The evening featured premium ingredients flown in from across Australia: Wagyu beef from South Australia, grass-fed tenderloin from Queensland’s Darling Downs, blue mussels and octopus from Western Australia and New South Wales, and Bangalow sweet pork from Byron Bay. These were complemented by a premium selection of wines from the Penfolds collection, including Riesling, Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Cabernet Shiraz.
Australian Ambassador to Cambodia, H.E. Derek Yip, said, “Taste of Australia is a celebration of some of the best produce we have to offer the world, sourced from the lush green farms, crystal clear waters and rolling vineyards of Australia straight to plates in Phnom Penh.”
He added that Australia is globally recognized for clean, green, and sustainable food production: “We’re proud to have been able to give our Cambodian friends a taste of this today. All of the products we served are available right here in Cambodia, along with other amazing Australian produce.”
A Culinary Bridge Between Nations
Darren Gall, a wine expert and Southeast Asia wine industry consultant, praised the event for its quality and setting. “Penfold’s winery is today one of the world’s most recognized and respected wine producers. With their wines perfectly paired to some of Australia’s finest produce, in the expert hands of Rosewood Executive Chef, Jan Van Dyk, and served to guests on the 36th floor of the hotel, it presented an elevated dining experience in more ways than just one. The remarkable quality of the food and wine created a genuine mood of appreciation and excitement amongst all those who attended.”
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He continued, “Fine wine and good food are like a bridge, connecting people, bringing them together in order to partake, share and enjoy in produce and in the company of each other. This is a bridge that spans generations, genetics and geography. In having the opportunity to offer and share in some of Australia’s finest wines and the incredible quality of its produce here in Cambodia, it has created a genuine appetite for exploring the opportunities between both these great nations.”
Promoting Regional Trade Through Gastronomy
Taste of Australia 2025 is part of a regional campaign to promote Australian food and beverage exports and to support bilateral economic growth through soft diplomacy. By showcasing Australian agricultural excellence, the event aligns with the Australian government’s broader efforts under the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, which calls for deeper engagement with growing regional markets like Cambodia.
With increasing interest in premium food experiences in Cambodia’s hospitality and retail sectors, the campaign aims to build awareness among local consumers, chefs, and importers of the value and quality of Australian produce.
Through initiatives like Taste of Australia, the Embassy continues to position Australia not only as a key economic partner but also as a trusted source of high-quality food, beverage, and cultural exchange.
