Cambodia Sommelier Association Holds First General Meeting And Elects New Board Members
The Cambodia Sommelier Association (CSA) held its first annual general meeting on February 16, 2024, at Topaz Restaurant. The event brought together CSA members to vote and elect its president and board of directors.
Eden Gnean, General Manager of Topaz Restaurant, was elected as the president of the CSA. She also previously won Cambodia's first sommelier competition in 2013.
Delivering remarks at the event, Gnean promised to continue contributing her skills and knowledge as a sommelier, along with her expertise in restaurant services, “to elevate the wine experience for customers and make noise on the international stage.”
The CSA Board of Directors was announced as follows:
- Eden Gnean, General Manager, Topaz Restaurant
- Sok Khantei, General Manager, Khema La Poste Restaurant
- Loeurng Nimol, Beverage Manager, Hotel Raffles Le Royal
- Hak Seyha, Sommelier, Topaz Restaurant
- Sony So, Assistant F&B Manager, TRIBE Phnom Penh Post Office Square
- Mark Lambart, Sales Director, Liquid Assets Co., Ltd
The CSA is a chapter of the Cambodia Restaurant Association (CRA), located in the Academy of Culinary Arts Cambodia in Phnom Penh. Anthony Galliano, Treasurer of the CRA and General Manager of Backyard Café, delivered a speech at the event and stated that the CSA will operate as an independent and non-profit group of its members, bound together by mutual goodwill, shared objectives and goals.
Providing comments to B2B Cambodia, Arnaud Darc, President of the CRA, said the CSA aims to promote the profession of sommeliers in the Kingdom, and to help raise the overall standard of wine services in the restaurant industry, with a focus on knowledge and skills development.
Mr. Darc further applauded Eden Gnean for being elected as the association’s inaugural president, saying “I know her and I am truly confident in her abilities to achieve the objectives of the association, as well as overcome all the challenges she will face as president.”
He added that the sommelier association existed in the past but was not formally established, hence, he believes that the election of the new Board of Directors will allow the association to flourish in the future.
Why Become A Member Of The Cambodian Sommelier Association?
According to the CSA, members can enjoy a wide range of the following benefits:
- Up to date news in the field of wine services in the restaurant industry;
- Access to industry training courses, workshops, and seminars;
- Regular networking events;
- Exclusive discounts and access to valuable content regarding the wine industry;
- Legislative and regulatory representation;
- Promotion of members’ businesses;
- The opportunity to participate in both national and international sommelier competitions, representing Cambodia.
Criteria For CSA Membership Acquisition
- Members should be individuals who consent to the promotion of the above stated purposes and have paid a membership fee prescribed by the Board of Directors, if applicable;
- Members should be professional sommeliers who are expected to participate in and assist events, training, and courses organised by the CSA;
- Members can also be individuals from outside the industry or working in related industries, who have a willingness to support the association and contribute to its enhancement.
"It is through the dedicated efforts of the CSA and its members that we will be able to achieve these goals and contribute to the growth and recognition of the sommelier profession in Cambodia," added Galliano.
"I am confident that with [their] passion and expertise, the Cambodia Sommelier Association will thrive and make significant contributions to our industry.”