NhamFesta – Cambodia's premier celebration of food – drew a whopping 50,000 visitors in just its first weekend, with the gastronomic jamboree attracting huge numbers of the capital's foodies to sample delights from a wide range of Asian cuisines.

Eager to immerse themselves in the flavours and festivities on offer, and to witness the participation of famous Cambodian chefs, celebrities, singers and influencers, tens of thousands of food enthusiasts flocked to the festival's opening three days from December 8-10.

The massive turnout, which included locals as well as international visitors,  delighted vendors operating the 180 stalls at the event, with Sok Chan Kanha, who specialises in skewered meats, saying sales went way beyond her wildest expectations. 

"The number of visitors was far more than I anticipated, which I put down to the festival's prime location, the wonderful decorations and the wide range of delicious food on offer.

"The constant flow of customers from the afternoon until midnight was an incredible experience, and I managed to sell everything I had prepared – which was great!" Kanha said with a delighted smile.

NhamFesta has been organised by Unbox Marketing – a Phnom Penh-based boutique advertising and creative agency – and Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC) – the Kingdom's leading property developer.

The event, spanning every Friday to Sunday until the end of the month, is a showcase of the varied tastes and culinary traditions of Cambodia and other ASEAN countries. 

And with Unbox Marketing and OCIC as organisers, NhamFesta has already garnered significant attention, while the collaboration with The Phnom Penh Post as a media partner has further boosted the event's visibility.

The Elysee Koh Pich was chosen as the NhamFesta venue for its architectural elegance inspired by the streets of Paris, with Phnom Penh's latest popular nightlife and leisure destination increasingly a draw for both locals and tourists alike. 

Touch Samnang, the deputy CEO of OCIC, said attracting tourists and providing Phnom Penh with a novel experience had been integral to the design of the venue. 

"It has brought me so much joy to see NhamFesta being so incredibly popular as a stage for small businesses and aspiring chefs to display their culinary talents," he added.

A multi-sensory experience, NhamFesta not only serves up a cornucopia of culinary delights, but also features entertainment in the form of cultural performances, cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs and music concerts.

The festival's guest list includes stars such as singers Mr Tena and Mr Manith, as well as Cambodian-American celebrity chef Charles Calvino Hang, who shot to fame with his participation in the 13th season of the US version of MasterChef. 

"I am honoured and excited to be able to contribute to NhamFesta, the grandest Asian food festival in Cambodia. 

"I aim to share my passion for cooking, especially Cambodian cuisine, which forms an integral part of my heritage and identity. 

"My goal is to inspire and connect with attendees through my culinary creations and stories," Hang said.

Cambodia's own "Master Chef" Luu Hong – renowned for his innovations in traditional and contemporary Cambodian cuisine – is another esteemed participant. 

"I am here to share my vision for Cambodian cuisine, to blend tradition with modernity. 

"My aspiration is to inspire and delight visitors with my culinary creations, and to engage in learning experiences with fellow chefs and food enthusiasts," said Meng, the proprietor of a number of popular Cambodian restaurants including Malis and Sevensea Seafood.

Also gracing the event is Chef Nak, whose cookbook SAOY – Royal Cambodian Home Cuisine was recently honoured at the 29th Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.

Oung Chakriya of Unbox Marketing, the festival organiser, said NhamFesta has successfully enlisted the participation of renowned chefs, celebrities, influencers and traditional media to promote the event to a wide audience and give tourism a further boost. 

"One of NhamFesta's primary goals is to increase tourism by highlighting exquisite dishes from Cambodia and neighbouring countries," Chakriya said, emphasising the festival's role in promoting cultural and culinary tourism.

Long Phearum, secretary of state at the Ministry of Tourism, also spoke of the importance of the tourism sector as a catalyst for socio-economic development and as a means to promote community and culture, as well as environmental protection. 

"NhamFesta showcases culinary diversity and fosters cultural exchange within the ASEAN community.

"The festival serves as a prime example of the symbiotic relationship between the government and the private sector in organising initiatives vital to tourism development," Phearum said.

With its array of some 180 food stalls, NhamFesta is inviting visitors to indulge in its offerings every weekend from 4pm to midnight until December 31 at The Elysee Koh Pich in Phnom Penh's Chamkarmon district.

And with only two weekends remaining, time is running out to enjoy the delights of this unforgettable celebration of food and culture.