Phnom Penh, Cambodia – High above the Phnom Penh skyline, where the city’s lights shimmer against the Mekong, a quiet revolution has been brewing behind the bar at Sora Bar. This January, that revolution goes global.

Phirun Lek, Lead Bartender at Sora, has been named Cambodia’s Number One Campari Ambassador, a milestone win that will take him from the rooftop elegance of Phnom Penh to the world cocktail capital of Milan, where he will represent Cambodia at the international Campari finals on January 21–22, 2026. For Cambodia’s bartending scene, it a victory statement.

Phirun’s story is not one of overnight success, but of momentum built through curiosity and grit. He began his hospitality career as a waiter in Siem Reap, far from the glamour of international competitions. A few shifts helping behind the bar sparked something deeper. Mixology, he realized, was where creativity, discipline, and storytelling could coexist.

When Phirun joined Sora, his rise was swift. Within just three months, he progressed from bar back to bartender, quickly earning a reputation for drinks that go beyond flavor. His cocktails often draw from personal memories—his love of football, his upbringing, and Cambodia’s abundant local produce, including humble but beloved ingredients like bananas.

The Campari Ambassador competition is among the most respected platforms in global mixology, demanding more than technical precision. Competitors are judged on creativity, storytelling, and their ability to translate culture into a glass, qualities that Phirun has quietly been honing for years.

His winning cocktail took inspiration from Num Ansom, a traditional Cambodian cake with roots stretching back to the Khmer Empire. Deeply connected to Hindu and Buddhist rituals, and still central to celebrations like Khmer New Year and Pchum Ben, Num Ansom became the emotional anchor of his creation.

Built on a classic Negroni structure, the drink reimagines tradition through a modern lens: coconut fat-washed gin evokes the cake’s creamy richness, sweet jackfruit vermouth adds warmth and familiarity, while Campari’s signature bitterness brings elegance and balance. The result is a cocktail that feels both ancestral and contemporary—Cambodia, translated for a global audience.

“Cocktails allow me to tell stories beyond the glass,” Phirun says. “This creation is my way of sharing Cambodian culture and the flavors that define who I am.”

Following the Milan finals, Phirun’s journey continues with a guest bartender appearance at Rosewood Munich on January 24–25, 2026. For European guests, it’s a rare opportunity to experience the Sora philosophy abroad—where Southeast Asian heritage meets refined, contemporary technique.

Back home, the pride is palpable. “Phirun’s achievement is a testament to his skill, creativity, and dedication,” says Daniel Simon, Managing Director of Rosewood Phnom Penh. “Through Phirun, the world will experience the innovation, passion, and warmth that define Sora and Cambodian heritage.”

Phirun hopes his success will encourage more Cambodian bartenders to step onto international stages, armed with their own stories and ingredients. His message is simple but powerful: local culture is not a limitation—it’s an advantage.

As he prepares to shake and stir in Milan, Phirun Lek carries more than bottles and bar tools with him. He carries the flavors, rituals, and quiet confidence of Cambodia—ready to show the world that its cocktails belong on the global map.