The kitchen is the heart of the home, and here at Amaya, we take that seriously. Waking up here is a sensory experience, with the morning breeze drifting in the open spaces, the view overlooking the mountains, countryside and gardens, and most importantly, the exotic aroma of Kampot cuisines. We know that a stay in Kampot isn’t just about seeing the sights, it’s about tasting the culture. Whether it’s a steaming bowl of Kuy Teav to start your day or a spicy Fish Amok to end it, the food at Amaya is made with love. Who are the magicians behind these flavors? Today, we are pulling back the curtain to introduce you to the incredible kitchen crew that makes Amaya feel like home.
Your Convenience First
Here at Amaya, we know that often the best luxury is convenience. That’s where our kitchen crew steps in. A typical stay at Amaya starts by waking up in your own villa, taking a morning dip in your private pool, and enjoying exquisite food prepared for you at your request, and for your utmost comfort. Although our main kitchen is located at the central dining area and bar, our team specializes in bridging the gap between the kitchen and your villa. From sizzling Lok Lak Rice, Hainan Chicken Rice, or Mju Krerng Stew, our team prepares your meal with care and delivers it right to your dining table by the pool.
So who are the people that make the magic happen in the kitchen?
Meet Chef Saroeun
The incredibly talented Head Chef Saroeun leads the kitchen, ensuring the guests’ culinary experience and dietary requirements and preferences are at the forefront of the kitchen. If you ever crave a delicious beef Lok Lak dish at any time of day, expect to taste Chef Saroeun’s skills. Additionally, he is always working towards upgrading and revitalising the menu at Amaya.
Cambodia’s national dishes take on their own unique regional flavour in Kampot. Using locally sourced, traditional ingredients, these are some of the dishes you can experience while staying at Amaya:
Crab Amok
No stay in Kampot is complete without tasting Crab Amok, the region’s beloved cuisine. Fresh, delicate crab filled curry-like Amok is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed to perfection, absorbing the rich aromas of coconut, lemongrass, and galangal. It is a celebration of heritage on a plate.
Kampot Pepper Crab
The southern coastal town of Kampot is synonymous with our world renowned premium Kampot pepper and incredible seafood. In the classic dish Chhar Kdam Merec, these ingredients create a perfect marriage: the pepper’s bright, citrusy spice enhances the natural sweetness of the succulent crab, offering a true taste of the region.
Learn More About: Kampot Pepper Crab
Meet Makara
Makara handles customer service, ensuring the service quality guests receive will be top notch. Makara has been working with Amaya and Sitha for the last 2 years. He supervises the delivery process of the food from the kitchen to the guests’ villas, as well as any events or retreats. He works in conjunction with Sitha, ensuring the quality and quantity of dishes are made to order for the guests’ comfort and happiness. “Whenever our guests need a chef’s service for a BBQ, I’ll be delivering that,” says Bong Makara. “We also have two other staff to assist with table set up and decoration, and delivering the food to the guests’ villas.”
Meet Sitha
You will never get disappointed when making any food requests with Amaya’s team. With years of experience in customer service and a passion for food and hospitality, Sitha is behind the coordination between our guests and the kitchen. Sitha has been working with Amaya since its inception as the food and beverage co-ordinator, and manages the catering aspect of the whole operation. Whether it is a family retreat, group dinner, or event catering, he delivers his utmost dedication. If guests prefer a BBQ night on any day of their stay, or a multi-dish a la carte selection, by letting Amaya’s team know their preferences in advance, guests can expect to have everything ready by their chosen time. Specific to the size of the group, he takes into consideration portion size and variety of dishes, what types of specific ingredients should be prepared beforehand, as well as beverages that compliment the chosen dishes, including the option of fresh juices, soft drinks, mocktails, cocktails and an assortment of other alcoholic beverages.
Hoping to welcome you soon!
Ultimately, Amaya is more than just a place to rest your head, it’s a place to feel truly cared for. Our kitchen crew plays a huge role in that. They work tirelessly behind the scenes and walk those extra steps from the main kitchen to your villa just to ensure that your holiday is effortless. Whether you’re craving a spicy local curry or a simple comfort meal, they are ready to bring the flavors of Kampot right to your private table. We hope this gives you a better idea of the friendly faces ready to welcome you. We can’t wait to cook for you! Come hungry, relax by the pool, and let our kitchen crew take care of the rest. See you soon at Amaya!
Find out more about: Our Open Air Restaurant
