Well-traveled Belgian brings a wealth of experience to a new role in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (November 2022) – Nicola van Heemsbergen from Belgium brings a wealth of culinary experience gleaned at some of the world’s best hotels and restaurants to his role as new executive chef at Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh.

Van Heemsbergen embarked on his path as a professional chef almost 30 years ago when he completed a traineeship at t’Fornius, a Michelin-starred venue in the Belgian city of Antwerp that is rated as one of the country’s finest restaurants. And he has not looked back since those early years — setting out on a culinary odyssey as a chef that has taken him to glamorous locations around the world.

Notable assignments along the way include stints at Michelin-starred restaurants like Lasserre in Paris and the legendary La Pyramide in Vienne, France. Previous hotel experience, meanwhile, includes periods at properties like Dubai’s Burj Al Arab, Raffles Singapore, The Peninsula in Manila, and Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti in Tanzania. Most recently he worked at Marineau, one of the best seafood restaurants in Antwerp.

Now he is applying his culinary expertise to the new role overseeing the Food and Beverage offerings at Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh. The property has earned widespread acclaim since opening in January 2021. Most recently, it was ranked “top city hotel” in Cambodia at Asia’s Best Awards 2022 by leading travel publication Travel & Leisure Southeast Asia.

Van Heemsbergen will oversee the operations of all five food and beverage outlets, including the hotel’s two main dining venues, FiveFive Rooftop Restaurant & Bar and Market Café Restaurant & Lounge, while upholding Hyatt’s commitment to sourcing the most sustainable and seasonal products from Cambodia by working with local farmers, growers and distributors.

“I’m looking forward to showcasing my passion for cooking with fresh, natural and locally produced ingredients to create inspirational dining experiences for our guests,” said Nicola van Heemsbergen. “Phnom Penh's Food and Beverage scene is quickly maturing and through the hotel, my goal is to put the city’s culinary offerings on the map.”

About Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh

Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh opened on January 6, 2021, marking the first Hyatt hotel in the Cambodian capital and the debut of the Hyatt Regency brand in the Kingdom of Wonder. With 247 guestrooms including 43 residential-style suites, the new Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh is set to become the largest internationally branded hotel in the city. Located in the heart of Phnom Penh’s cultural and business district of Doun Penh, the latest addition from Hyatt is a 30-minute drive from the airport and within walking distance of the Royal Palace, National Museum, and the Tonle Sap riverside. Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh provides business travelers with modern comfort and convenience alongside warm Cambodian hospitality in one of Asia’s most captivating cities. For more information, please visit hyattregency.com. Follow @HyattRegency on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and tag photos with #HyattRegency.

About Hyatt Regency

The Hyatt Regency brand prides itself on making travel free from stress and filled with success. More than 220 conveniently located Hyatt Regency urban and resort locations in more than 45 countries around the world serve as the go-to gathering space for every occasion – from efficient personalized, high-touch business meetings to energizing family vacations. The brand offers stress-free environments for seamless gatherings and empathetic service that anticipates guests’ needs. Designed for productivity and peace of mind, Hyatt Regency hotels and resorts offer a full range of services and amenities, including the space to work, engage or relax; notable culinary experiences; technology-enabled ways to collaborate; and expert meeting and event planners who can take care of every detail.