Heritage Suites Hotel hosts “Changing Lives” charity gala dinner for Sala Baï

SIEM REAP, Cambodia - May 13, 2015 - PRLog -- Heritage Suites Hotel will be hosting its ‘Changing Lives’ charity gala dinner this spring on 22^nd May 2015 to raise funds for Sala Bai Hotel & Restaurant School with an aim to increase the student intake from 100 to 108 students at the new school campus. This year, the event features a menu served by Thai rising culinary star Chef Thitid ‘Ton’ Tassanakajohn, known for his exceptionally creative Thai-inspired cuisine. Chef Ton is flying in from Bangkok to share his culinary magic with Siem Reap society and will be supported by Heritage Suites Hotel’s Executive Chef Vibol Boun. In hopes of helping underprivileged young Cambodians and keeping them out of poverty and human trafficking through vocational training, Heritage Suites will host an auction that same evening featuring a selection of well-curated auction items. The net target for the evening is USD 10,000 to contribute to the Sala Baï growth in student numbers. Every single dollar from the evening’s sales of gala dinner tickets and auction will go to the Sala Bai Hotel & Restaurant School.

Chef Ton is renowned for bold flavors, vibrant colors and an uncompromising approach to his ingredients, in particular their seasonality. The co-owner and creator of Le Du (meaning "season" in Thai), now in its second year, has swiftly built up a reputation as one of Bangkok's most exciting and innovative young chefs. He has created a menu that adheres to his passion for traditional Thai cuisine, complemented by western techniques and know-how. Graduated top of his class from the Culinary Institute of America, Chef Ton went on to work at some of New York city's most-acclaimed restaurants, including Eleven Madison Park and Jean Georges, both of which have three Michelin Stars, and The Modern, which has one Michelin Star.

Heritage Suites Hotel is proud to host the third Annual Charity Dinner in support of Sala Baï, and to support the planned growth in student numbers, thereby meeting the increased demands of young Cambodians for relevant skills and of the hospitality industry for ever more skilled employees.

A unique and entertaining program will create a beautiful evening with generously-donated esteemed auction items, such as vacations at hotels and gastronomy experiences at high profile restaurants in the region. Bali is represented by two architecturally-driven hotels – The Santai, in hip Seminyak, and The Balé in serene Nusa Dua. Closer to home, the historical Sofitel Metropole Legend inHanoi, Belmond La Résidence in Luang Prabang and Viewpoint Lodge, Inle Lake, Myanmar, are tempting getaways. Beautiful resorts and hotels in Cambodia are also on offer: Amansara in Siem Reap, Knai Bang Chatt in Kep and Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh. Besides hotels, Guests with other interests will have an opportunity to express their generosity during the auction for experiences such as a dinner at the iconic Mr & Mrs Bund restaurant of Chef Paul Pairet in Shanghai, an Amanbala cruise on Tonle Sap for 8 people on one of its cruises (sunset, brunch or lunch cruise) and an original signed lithography by Paris-based sculptor Gudmar Olovson.

Other proud sponsors of the evening include Celliers d'Asie with their array of champagne, wines, cognacs and still and sparkling water, AusKhmer for their partial sponsorship of food, Sombai infused rice wine and Malongo espresso.

The event will be attended by a well-travelled group of residents, expats, entrepreneurs and hoteliers with a great interest in food, wine and a very good cause - Sala Bai Hotel & Restaurant School.

The price of the dinner, beverages included, is USD $75.00 per person. Please RSVP before May 15th to reservation@heritagesuiteshotel.com

If you are prevented from attending you can still make a difference, no matter how modest:

For online donation, please visit http://www.alvarum.com/heritagesalabaicharitydinner2015

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About Sala Bai Hotel & Restaurant School

Sala Baï Hotel & Restaurant School was created by French NGO “Agir Pour Le Cambodge” in 2002 and is located in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Each year the school trains - free of charge - 100 young disadvantaged Cambodians with a 70% priority towards girls. After twelve years of operations, more than 1100 Sala Baï students have been trained for careers in the hospitality industry, enabling them to achieve economic independence and improve the living conditions of their families. But in a country, where the great majority of the population is still living under the poverty line or in a precarious situation and where the hospitality market still needs qualified workforce to support its booming growth, the school plans to increase the number of trained students each year up to 150 by 2017 and open a new training in Beauty and Care. With that aim, this September 2015, Sala Baï wishes to train 108 students, giving hope to another eight more young Cambodians who carry the dream of a brighter future.

About Heritage Suites Hotel

Heritage Suites Hotel is a sophisticated boutique retreat in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Located minutes away from the majestic architectural relics of the Angkor temple, its grand colonial façade conceals the 26 intimate rooms and newly refurbished suites nestled amidst lush tropical gardens. It redefines luxury with stunning architecture, personalized and attentive service, a host of culinary delights and comfortable, stylish rooms. Heritage Suites Hotel is committed to supporting the local community through promoting local artisans and craftsmen and active training and hiring of young underprivileged Cambodians from the Sala Bai Hotel and Restaurant school.