Wine It Forward.

As Sommeliers, it is with gratitude that we share and create learning opportunities for the next generation of wine enthusiasts, the same way my mentor in Saint-Émilion trained me. During my 6 years living in Siem Reap Cambodia, I got to know, sponsor, train, hire some of the wonderful students from Sala Bai where I continue to sponsor and wine it forward.

The School.

French NGO Agir pour le Cambodge (APLC) created in 1985, launched the Sala Baï program in 2002 to fight poverty and human trafficking in Cambodia through social and professional training of young underprivileged Cambodians. Every year, Sala Baï Hotel and Restaurant School trains 150 students in hospitality at no charge to them. This program is exclusively devoted to helping underprivileged young Cambodians, with priority given to girls (70%) who are more vulnerable and who have less access to education.

In 21 years, more than 1,900 students have been trained and have found a job in the hospitality industry, one of the most dynamic economic sector of the country, enabling them to achieve economic independence and improve the living conditions of their families.

The Hotel.

The Rooms at Sala Bai. Credit Website.

The School also has a hotel that features 6 beautifully appointed rooms in the middle of a tropical garden. By staying at Sala Baï Hotel, you’ll be contributing directly to the education of students by enabling them to practice their newly acquired skills every day in real conditions. Book by email only hotel@salabai.com

The Restaurant.

The Restaurant at Sala Bai.

“Go to Sala Baï and you’ll meet young trainees, all smiles, happy to be here, to be learning a skill and launching themselves into the future” – Régis Marcon, Chef of 3 Michelin Star restaurant Régis et Jacques Marcon, sponsor of the school. The training restaurant is only open on weekdays for lunch services from 12pm to 2pm (from Monday to Friday), between November and mid-July. Last service at 1.15pm so students can get back to class on time.

All about the Wine.

Wine Training at Sala Bai. Photo from Sala Bai.

This year, I asked the Director of the School if I could contribute to a direct impact campaign aimed at introducing wine to the students from theory to practical serving and tasting. As they already have an existing wine training module, a local Sommelier Ms Eden Gnean was invited to lead and teach the class. This is the highest educational impact as wine language can be easily explained in Khmer, the Cambodian language and the students have a high trust and connection with the teacher. This is the first step as many of these students will graduate and work for major international hotel bars and restaurant in Cambodia.

Ms Eden Gnean with Student.

How best can I support this ?

For your next visit to Siem Reap, consider staying at Sala Bai and let the students take care of you from the hotel to the restaurant or the Spa. Consider dining at the restaurant one afternoon. It's an unique wine experience that you would not forget. Visit https://www.salabai.com/

JJ is based in Sydney Australia. He works as a Business First Cabin Crew and is a Sommelier and teaches hospitality. @travel.somm iknowthesomm.com

Photos from Website and School have been authorised.