At the Naomi Tami Memorial Scholarship Fund, we are proud to support students who not only dream big but also carry their heritage forward with pride. One of our recent success stories is Phea, a gifted young chef from the Kuy indigenous people in Preah Vihear province. Thanks to your support, he has turned his scholarship opportunity into a mission: preserving and sharing the rich culinary traditions of his people.
Growing up in the remote landscapes of Preah Vihear, Phea was surrounded by the flavors, rituals, and seasonal rhythms of Kuy food. Yet professional culinary training felt like a distant possibility. When he received the Naomi Tami Memorial Scholarship to attend the Academy of Culinary Arts Cambodia, that dream began to take shape.
During his time at ACAC, Phea, distinguished himself through both dedication and creativity. He later earned a competitive internship abroad at the Shangri-La and Traders Hotel in Abu Dhabi, gaining valuable global experience while staying rooted in his identity.
Now returned to Cambodia, Phea has opened his own culinary shop dedicated to showcasing Kuy cuisine. From fermented forest herbs to ancestral grilling methods, his dishes tell the story of a people often left out of the national food narrative. His shop is not just a business — it’s a cultural preservation project and a symbol of resilience.
Phea’s journey is a powerful reminder that when we invest in students, we invest in the preservation of culture, the rise of local enterprise, and the promise of community leadership. Your generosity has not only helped one student succeed — it has helped a whole tradition find a platform.
We are deeply proud of Phea and inspired by his vision. As we continue to support new students, we remain committed to honoring the diverse stories, talents, and cultural identities that make Cambodia’s culinary future so vibrant.
To our supporters: thank you for making this possible. Together, we’re not just funding education — we’re nurturing the future of Cambodian cuisine, one student at a time.
Phea receives financial assistance from the Naomi Tami Memorial Scholarship Fund to follow a diploma course at the ACAC. Since it began in 2017, the scholarship fund has enabled 63 young Cambodians to achieve their dream of having successful careers in the hospitality industry.
About The Naomi Tami Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Naomi Tami Scholarship Memorial Fund was established by the Tami family to honor 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/
Shift 360 Foundation: https://shift360.ch/naomi-tami-scholarship/
Academy of Culinary Arts Cambodia (ACAC): https://acac.edu.kh/
