Raffles Hotel Le Royal has tapped the Laos-born, French-raised Martin Becquart to lead the culinary team at one of Cambodia’s most legendary hotels.
The hotel’s new Executive Chef brings nearly three decades of experience to his new role as overseer of Raffles Hotel Le Royal’s celebrated restaurants and bars, including Le Phnom 1929, a Parisian-style brasserie; Restaurant Le Royal, known for its authentic Royal Khmer cuisine; and the iconic Elephant Bar, home to the hotel’s famed Afternoon Tea.
His professional journey has taken him to all corners of the world, working in renowned five-star hotel kitchens in Europe, South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, the United States and Asia. He received his formal culinary training in France and describes his cooking style as strongly influenced by classic French techniques with notable inspirations from his global travels. Becquart consistently champions top-quality seasonal and local ingredients.
“Chef Martin’s remarkable 27-year culinary career has involved serving meals to heads of state and top executives—and he has a deep knowledge of French culinary traditions. His newest offerings at Le Phnom 1929 and Elephant Bar spotlight some of the breadth of what he can do,” said Raffles Hotel Le Royal’s General Manager Dennis de Groot.
In his first move as Executive Chef, Becquart has rolled out two new dining experiences, including a French-focused culinary tour and a new Mediterranean mezze special.
In the new “Culinary Tour” at Le Phnom 1929, diners can explore French cuisine through a journey that takes in highlights from the country’s most celebrated gastronomy regions, such as Brittany, Normandy, Alsace and Paris. Standout items on the new menu include Galette Au Sarrasin “Complète,” featuring egg, torchon ham and comté cheese; and Far Breton, thick custard cream cooked with black prunes flambé with rum.
The “Culinary Tour” features three separate dining opportunities: The Regional Business Lunch, available from Monday to Friday, includes a 2-course or 3-course set menu starting from USD 20 net. The Regional A La Carte menu features popular dishes starting from USD 9 net. And the Themed Sunday Brunch (from USD 65 net) involves a lavish weekend spread.
Raffles Hotel Le Royal has also introduced a new “Mediterranean Mezze” special at The Elephant Bar. Diners can enjoy traditional treats, wines and cocktails from Lebanon, Greece, Italy, Spain and France, with live music every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. For every bottle of wine purchased at The Elephant Bar, guests will receive a complimentary mezze platter. Spotlighted items on the new mezze menu include Pissaladière (onion, black olives and anchovy flatbread) from France and Tomato and Basil Bruschetta from Italy.
Voted the “Best Hotel in Cambodia” by readers of DestinAsian magazine earlier this year, Raffles Hotel Le Royal originally opened in 1929. The hotel features 175 rooms and suites that underwent a full refurbishment as part of a meticulous one-year restoration project in 2019.
