For culinary icon Mariya Un Noun, food has always been more than just sustenance – it is both a language of love and a source of comfort in the toughest times.

Growing up in the slums of Phnom Penh in Cambodia, her earliest memories of food were shaped by her mother’s resourcefulness. Despite scarce ingredients and financial struggles, her mother could turn the simplest elements into something remarkable.

It was in those moments that Mariya’s passion for cooking was ignited. She learned that food had the power to create warmth and joy, even in the harshest circumstances. This belief carried her through the darkest chapters of her life.

At just 12 years old, she was sold into servitude, later enduring the punishing conditions of a garment factory. Long hours, meagre wages, and unrelenting exhaustion defined her existence. Yet, in the midst of it all, cooking remained her escape. It was her way of expressing love, her refuge from despair, and her constant reminder that a better future was possible.

A fateful encounter that changed everything

In 2013, a seemingly chance encounter set Mariya’s life on a new trajectory. A tuk-tuk driver introduced her to Hannes Schmid, the founder of Smiling Gecko Cambodia, a social enterprise dedicated to providing education and vocational training to disadvantaged communities.

At the time, Mariya was barely scraping by, but Smiling Gecko offered her something she had never dared to dream of.

One evening, she was asked to step in as a cook for a dinner hosted by the organisation. She had no formal training, only the skills passed down from her mother. But as she prepared traditional Khmer dishes, something extraordinary happened – her food captivated Hannes and his guests. That night, for the first time, Mariya realised that her passion could be more than just an escape; it could be her future.

Recognising her talent, Smiling Gecko provided Mariya with the opportunity to receive formal culinary training. For the first time in her life, she left Cambodia and travelled to Switzerland, where she trained under renowned chefs such as Franck Giovannini and Andreas Caminada.

Her time in Switzerland was life-changing. She worked in top-tier hotels, including Hotel Widder in Zurich, where she mastered French culinary techniques and refined the discipline, precision, and creativity that today define her craft. Learning from the best, she discovered that cooking isn’t just about following recipes but about storytelling, innovation, and pushing boundaries.

Returning home to redefine Khmer cuisine

Armed with world-class training and an unwavering determination, Mariya returned to Cambodia, stepping into the role of executive chef at Smiling Gecko’s Farmhouse Resort & Spa. Here, she began a bold new chapter of redefining traditional Khmer cuisine.

Rather than merely replicating classic dishes, Mariya has been on a mission to elevate and reimagine them, introducing what she calls “new Khmer cuisine.” Her approach celebrates Cambodia’s rich culinary heritage while integrating contemporary techniques and global influences.

Her work has not gone unnoticed. She has collaborated with prestigious brands, including Mercedes, V-Zug, and Victorinox, and has been invited to international culinary events to share her story.

Mariya, however, remains deeply committed to a larger purpose: every opportunity she seizes is not just for herself but for Cambodia’s culinary identity. She sees her success as a platform to showcase Khmer cuisine to the world and inspire others from disadvantaged backgrounds to dream beyond their circumstances.

The power of mentorship and belief

Mariya is the first to acknowledge that her journey would not have been possible without mentorship. She credits Hannes Schmid and the Smiling Gecko community for believing in her before she believed in herself. She also expresses deep gratitude to her Swiss mentors, who pushed her beyond her limits and instilled in her the confidence to dream bigger.

Their unwavering faith in her talent led to an unexpected honour – Smiling Gecko created a fine dining restaurant in her name, Restaurant UN. More than just a restaurant, it stands as a testament to the importance of nurturing talent.

Now, Mariya is determined to pay it forward. She mentors young chefs, trains her team, and encourages those who, like her, come from challenging backgrounds. She believes that with the right support, anyone can rise above their circumstances and carve out a future they never thought possible.

Mariya describes her life as a rollercoaster – one that has taught her invaluable lessons about resilience, opportunity, and gratitude.

Resilience, she says, is what carried her through the hardest moments. There were times when she felt her destiny had been sealed, but she refused to accept it.

Looking back, she is grateful she kept fighting because a completely different path was waiting for her.

Mariya also understands that opportunity is everything. When Smiling Gecko gave her a chance to cook, she had no formal training – just passion and determination. But she seized the moment, and it changed everything.

The chef urges others to do the same: to take risks, trust in their abilities, and embrace opportunities even when they feel unprepared.

Above all, she values gratitude. Mariya remains deeply thankful to those who saw her potential when she struggled to see it herself. She knows that without their belief in her, she would not be where she is today.

Mariya’s message to aspiring female chefs

Her advice to women who want to break through into the culinary world is simple but powerful: never stop believing in yourself. She acknowledges that the industry can be unforgiving and that women often have to work twice as hard to prove themselves. But she refuses to let that discourage her.

With passion, dedication, and an insatiable curiosity, success is within reach,” she said.

After all, cooking is not just about technique but about creativity, passion, and storytelling. For Mariya, every dish she creates is a story of perseverance, opportunity, and the power of never giving up.