The never stopping Phnom Penh scene endeavors creating new restaurants and French cook Ludovic Moulin found his way through it; sell unique and high-end products to let people enjoy his art of French cuisine at their favorite place: at home or in a restaurant.
Have you ever heard of Vikings fishing for their salmon, letting it cook throughout a season by burying it in the ice of their land with salt and sugar? Well, Ludovic did and you can now find this Gravlax Salmon in town… Following the Vikings’ mastery, it is so smooth that your tongue barely feels it; a hint of dill pampers your taste buds to make it one of the most delicate foods you would find here. And no wonder; the former Chef of the best table in Phnom Penh prepared it for you.
With more than 10 years in Cambodia, half of them at the residence of the French ambassador, Ludovic is one of French cuisine’s rare gems here in Cambodia. Next to The Deli, on Street 178, there is now a small boutique where you can get his boeuf bourguignon, coq au vin and salmon gravlax for less than $10. A chic restaurant might have it too, but now you can get it directly from the man himself and be regaled in the comfort of your own home.
For two years, Ludovic’s mind had been wandering; he wanted to create top-end dishes and be able to conserve them properly. In a country such as Cambodia, that can prove quite the challenge. So he developed vacuum cooking and opened Le Vôtre Traiteur catering services two months ago. “As long as the dish is stored away from air and light, it will be good and still healthy,” Ludovic explains. Vacuum- cooking food requires pasteurising. It also requires a step of “flash freezing” before vacuum packing, which stops bacteria from proliferating – the main reason a range of frozen foods can also be found at his boutique.
Fond of traditional cuisine, bœuf bourguinon à la Vôtre is basically a recipe developed by Ludovic’s grandmother, with onions and lardons giving flavour to the dish. As Cambodia modernises, he says, it’s always searching for new dishes and quality. “Our clients are not only expats but also Cambodians looking for delicate and quality dishes.” Le Vôtre’s aim is to be the sole caterer offering vacuum-packed foods in Phnom Penh, but also remain a professional canapés and cocktails lover. “When we do such things, we want them to look gorgeous and delicious.”
Le Vôtre Traiteur, #9A Street 178.