CIR Lifestyle
Cambodian chef Mariya Un Noun, Executive Chef at Smiling Gecko Farmhouse Resort & Spa, is turning heads – and some of those head belong to some of the world’s most renowned Michelin-star chefs in the most celebrated Michelin-star restaurants in the heart of Europe – and beyond.
And it is not just the celebrated Michelin-star chefs that she is impressing. She is also gaining a reputation and a following among aficionados of fine dining cuisine – of the Khmer kind. It is a taste that, until recently, has been hitherto untasted, unsavoured, and under-appreciated around the world.
Now, with Mariya’s determination and talent – Cambodia’s culinary place in the world looks set to change – for the better. After all, as Mariya rightly says, ‘All of our Khmer food is delicious and is now being appreciated by people around the world with refined palates who are used to dining in some of the most respected establishments with kitchens led by some of the world’s finest chefs.”
And Mariya should know. She has already made inroads into some of the best known fine dining kitchens and establishments in Europe and Asia. In doing so, she has managed to elevate Cambodia’s culinary identity and give Khmer cuisine a rightful place on the world stage.
Fine dining kitchens and establishments in Europe and Asia
“For the past 10 years, I have used my voice to show that there really is Khmer fine dining cuisine and to let people know that Cambodian dishes are more than just grilled chicken and fried fish,” Mariya explains. “Now that the message is getting across and worldwide recognition is being achieved.”
Today, Mariya finds herself at home in fine dining establishments across the globe. It wasn’t always the case. In fact, at the age of 12, she had to leave home to find work to support herself and her family. It was then that she was introduced to the kitchen by a woman who once cooked for Cambodia’s royal family. The experience sparked her passion for food and opened her eyes to the art of fine Cambodian cooking.
By the age of 16, Mariya had to return to her family. With little money and no chance of paying for education that would help her find a job, she was determined to do whatever she could to support her mother and siblings.
It was then that the Smiling Gecko co-founder Dr. h.c. Hannes Schmid stepped in.
“Dr. Hannes took me into the Smiling Gecko’s Farmhouse kitchen and started training me,” continues Mariya. “He thought I had a real talent. That was in 2014. One of Dr. Hannes’ friends from a hotel institute in Switzerland told Hannes that I had talent. Dr. Hannes then helped to get me a passport and sent me to Switzerland to enrol in international hotel schools. It was after this that I started working with some of Europe’s finest chefs.”
Some of the top chefs Mariya has cooked with have included:
- Andreas Caminada, Schloss Schauenstein, – 3 Stars (Guide Michelin), Castle Restaurant Hotel, Schlossgass 77, Fürstenau, Switzerland – 19 Points (Gault-Millau)
- Armin Egli, Head chef « Centre for Global Dialogue» Swiss Re, formerly The Restaurant at the Chedi Andermatt, Andermatt, Switzerland 14 Points (Gault Millau)
- Martin Göschel, Restaurant Martin Göschel, The Alpina Gstaad, Gstaad, Switzerland – 1 Star (Guide Michelin), 18 Points (Gault-Millau)
- Franz W. Faeh, Le Grill, Gstaad Palace, Gstaad, Switzerland – 16 Points (Gault-Millau)
- Tino Roberto Staub, Regional Executive Chef The Living Circle, Switzerland, formerly Widder Restaurant, Hotel Widder, Zurich, Switzerland, 15 Points (Gault Millau)
- Tanja Grandits, Stucki, Basel, Switzerland – 2 Stars (Guide Michelin), 19 Points (Gault-Millau)
Impressed by her unique culinary skills and creations, Mariya quickly earned the respect and admiration of some of these leading chefs. Some even incorporated her dishes into their creations.
“I have cooked fish amok, fried prawns with Kampot pepper, and other such Khmer delicacies,” continues Mariya. “Some of my Khmer creations have even found their way onto the menus of some of the top hotels in Europe. This makes me really proud.”
However, Mariya’s story is more than just a tale of personal triumph. It reflects a wider vision – one where Cambodia’s culinary identity is celebrated, nurtured, and shared with the world. With every dish she creates, Mariya honors her heritage while pushing Khmer cuisine into new territory. She wants others to follow her through the door that she has now opened.
“I am a talent, but I am also able to help other (Khmer) talent too – to come together with me and show the [world] that Cambodia is not lacking when it comes to talent,” she added. “As a Cambodian chef, I want to work with our young talents to help them to become internationally recognized, too.”
And with Mariya’s dedication, determination, and tireless efforts – and the support of the Smiling Gecko Farmhouse Resort and Spa – hopefully soon more Cambodian chefs will take up their rightful place in Michelin-star kitchens around the world. And perhaps one day soon, Mariya herself will earn a coveted Michelin star too…
If you would like to hear more from Mariya speaking in person, go to: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2281038392340786
