Last week, we had the pleasure of entertaining visitors from The Mushroom Company, a premium organic button mushroom grower recently established in Phnom Penh – Mr. Denis Salmon, the managing partner, and his colleague, Ms. Ampor. Our connection with them began when they reached out to Tony, asking if they could donate some of their high-quality produce to us. They had been introduced to Little Hearts by one of their clients, none other than our friend Chef Mario.
Denis and Ampor’s generosity didn’t stop with a one-time donation. After their first visit, when they delivered a copious batch of fresh mushrooms, they came back several times, each time with more mushrooms for our kitchen. So bountiful was this supply of mushrooms that we were able to share them with the denizens of Songkheum Thmey (New Hope), a small settlement in the nearby Khsach municipality that we support through donations and community involvement, as well as with our neighbours and the students at Sovannaphumi School (our children’s classmates).
In addition to their generous mushroom donations, Denis and Ampor invited us to visit their company’s production facility. At the farm, we were warmly welcomed and had the chance to see the mushrooms growing in a highly controlled environment. We also learned about their harvesting and storage methods. The Mushroom Company’s customers are mainly restaurants in Phnom Penh, including Chef Mario’s Casa Blanes. The kids had a great time and were able to present a certificate of appreciation and a small painting created by one of our young artists as a token of gratitude for the company’s support.
During our visit, we also found out that The Mushroom Company is expanding rapidly and looking to hire new staff, so two of our recent graduates, Sothon and Ilay, took the opportunity to submit their CVs. Ilay, a graduate in interior design, may contribute to designing some of their new buildings, while Sothon, who has a degree in agronomy, may become involved in the cultivation process itself.
Did you know that button mushrooms, like the ones provided by The Mushroom Company, are packed with essential nutrients? They are low in calories and rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, making them an excellent choice for a healthy diet. Our chef Kimsal has been adding lots of mushrooms to our daily menu, turning last week into something of a ‘mushroom week’! From savoury soups to hearty stir-fries, we’ve been enjoying the many ways mushrooms can be incorporated in our daily meals.
We are very grateful for The Mushroom Company’s big-heartedness and excited about the potential of deepening our relationship with them. It’s truly heart-warming to see new businesses in Cambodia thriving and supporting local communities. We look forward to what’s next.