PHNOM PENH:​ Khmer cuisine is extending its global reach. “The Taste of Angkor”, a cookbook prepared and published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation as part of its cultural diplomacy has been awarded the title of “Best Asian Cookbook” at the 2021 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. “The Taste of Angkor” was first unveiled in January this year by Foreign Minister Prak Sokhon. Copies of the cookbook were provided to Cambodian diplomats to be presented as gifts to foreign dignitaries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced on Wednesday that “The Taste of Angkor” cookbook has been awarded the distinction of “Best Asian Cookbook” at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. The award ceremony is currently being held in Paris, France, from 29 November to 6 December.

The Gourmand World Cookbook Awards has been honoring the best food and wine books, as well as food television, every year since 1995. In 2021, there were 198 countries entering the competition with a total submission of 4,000 cookbooks.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Prak Sokhonn had first unveiled the “The Taste of Angkor” on January 18 of this year, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs published to promote cultural diplomacy through the cornerstone of food. The cookbook contains 38 recipes of Khmer dishes and desserts with detailed and easy-to-follow instructions, including substitutions for Khmer ingredients that may be hard to source abroad.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that this cookbook is a great contribution of the Royal Government of Cambodia’s advancement of its food and cultural diplomacy. They continued to say that receiving the distinguished title of “Best Asian Cookbook” from the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards is “a fresh source of pride and honor for the Kingdom of Cambodia’s efforts to get the world to know and truly appreciate the great legacy of Cambodia’s thousand-year-old culinary heritage.”