Students and Alumni Celebrate New Term at Culinary School with Scholarship Dinner
On December 17 2025, the Naomi Tami Memorial Scholarship Fund hosted a Christmas dinner for current students and alumni of the scholarship program, bringing together the wider community for an evening of celebration, encouragement, and connection in Cambodia.
The dinner was a meaningful opportunity to gather at the close of the year and reflect on the journey each student is on within Cambodia’s growing culinary and hospitality landscape. Scholars from different cohorts joined alumni to share a meal, reconnect with friends, and celebrate the season together in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
The founders of the Naomi Tami Memorial Scholarship Fund were present for the evening, taking time to connect personally with students and alumni. Their presence was a reminder of the heart behind the program and the long-term commitment to supporting Cambodian students as they grow in skill, confidence, and character, and contribute to the country’s future.
Special guest, So Dary, a partner at KPMG Cambodia also joined the dinner to share words of encouragement, offering insight and motivation for students as they pursue their studies and future careers in the culinary and hospitality industries.
The evening also featured a powerful testimony from one of the program’s alumni, Ousa Chhien, who recently graduated from Imperial International Hotel College in Vietnam and is now the Assistant Restaurant Manager at Le Phnom Restaurant at Raffles Hotel. She shared about her journey from scholarship student to hospitality professional, highlighting the challenges, growth, and opportunities that shaped her path. Her story served as an inspiring example of how education and support can equip young Cambodians to gain international experience and then reinvest their skills back into their home country.
More than a formal event, the Christmas dinner served as a space for relationship-building and gratitude—celebrating the achievements of the past year while looking ahead with hope. It reflected the values at the core of the scholarship program: encouragement, opportunity, and a commitment to empowering Cambodian students to play a meaningful role in the nation’s development.
We are grateful to everyone who attended and helped make the evening special. As we move into a new year, we remain committed to walking alongside our students and alumni as they continue to pursue excellence and contribute positively to Cambodia’s vibrant and evolving hospitality industry.
The Naomi Tami Scholarship Memorial Fund was established by the Tami family to honour the memory of Naomi Laura Tami who passed away on May 7, 2013, at the early age of 23. In keeping with Naomi’s love of life and passion, the Naomi Tami Scholarship Memorial Fund provides the opportunity for students who are committed to excellence, love the culinary arts, and who would not otherwise have the opportunity due to financial constraints, to study tuition-paid at the Academy of Culinary Arts Cambodia.
How to give
Your financial gifts to the Naomi Tami Scholarship Memorial Fund enable Shift360 to expand scholarship opportunities for the Academy of Culinary Arts Cambodia and provide more students with financial constraints the chance for a brighter future.
JOIN US:
Naomi Tami Memorial Scholarship Fund: https://www.naomimemorialfund.com/
Goodwill Ambassador Chef Bobby Chinn: https://www.bobbychinn.com/
Shift 360 Foundation: https://shift360.ch/naomi-tami-scholarship/
