about us
about Robert and Morrison
Cookbook author Robert Carmack, and artist Morrison Polkinghorne steer you off the beaten path to discover Southeast Asia’s culture through its foods, arts and culture. The couple lived for nearly a decade in Battambang Cambodia, presiding over Bric-a-Brac, awarded Best Boutique in the Kingdom. They now live in Australia along the rural SA and Vic border, where they have restored a century-old church.
The Last Church
Robert Carmack is author of five cookbooks, most recently The Burma Cookbook, winner of Best Asian cookbook at World Gourmand in Yantai, China. His books Thai Home Cooking, Vietnamese Home Cooking and Fondue are sold the world over and in translation. A popular television food stylist, Robert is a native of America’s Pacific Northwest.
Morrison Polkinghorne is an artist and textile designer, the latter specializing in hand-crafted French-style trimmings, braids and tassels for prestige interior designers. Morrison is an authority on hand-loom weaving techniques, guiding us through the crafts of Cambodia and Southeast Asia. He is co-author of The Burma Cookbook. He was raised in Alice Springs, and lived in Sydney for 25 years.
why we choose to travel in July
It’s our favourite time to visit: June through October are officially rainy or Monsoon season, but Cambodia’s June-August rains are intermittent and far from the heavy downpours of September into November. While Cambodia is hot all year round, averaging daily 28-33C / 80-90F, cloud cover this season wards off the direct sun. Plus it’s cleaner and greener. Escape from Australia’s winter, and for Europeans and Americans it’s a break from summer tourism throngs. Tourist numbers are well down this time of year, so the kingdom’s magnificent temples are breathtakingly empty.
Awarded Best Asian cookbook of the year, World Gourmand 2015
Q+A:
Our specialty…
We love Southeast Asia. We adore its rich diversity in cuisines — from vibrant Thai curries to refreshing Vietnamese salads; from comforting Chinese stocks to a wealth of seafood. Cambodian food is not spicy hot. Its people are among the friendliest on earth — witness the broad, almost Cheshire-cat smiles of Khmer children and adults alike. And value for money, you can’t match the quality of hotels, restaurants and exquisite crafts: from silk to silver, lacquer to gemstones. Plus its arts and rich temple history.
Our philosophy…
Discover a country’s culture first through its history, arts and foods. Let us introduce you to an authentic world of local flavors, not homogenized tastes geared for tourists. Naturally, we include artisan crafts, historical sites, and local specialists. Globetrotting Gourmet is committed to sustainable tourism and responsible travel. We recognize not only the environmental and cultural costs that tourism can exert, but conversely how to contribute positively. We ensure your dollars are directly shared throughout communities: to individual operators and small businesses alike, and not just to large, foreign owned consortiums.
Globetrotting Gourmet specializes in low-impact small group and individual travel, and we strive to give our clients the most authentic experience possible. In return, we also designate a portion of our proceeds to a local worthy cause or training program.
Our tours…
We look at the food in its many guises, from farming to marketing to hawker food and restaurant fare alike. Each and every food tour is unique. Our small-group tour experience is restricted to 12 maximum, but often as small as eight.
Robert and Morrison personally visit each country prior to organizing day-by-day itineraries, and we specifically select all locations, hotels, events and menus. We do not farm this work off to intermediary travel wholesalers. All group tours are personally hosted by Robert and Morrison, and we include a local translator or guide when appropriate. We can assure you, our intrepid tours are not like the standard group.
Flights…
Globetrotting Gourmet food tours do not include overseas airfare. This should be purchased in your home country, along with travel insurance. Australians should contact Aileen Collins at Travel Managers 0418 155 277 (international +61 418 155 277) EMAIL
Many of our participants cash in mileage points for travel, or use points to upgrade. As we consider ourselves impartial advisors, please feel free to ask us for airline advise. Travel insurance should be purchased in your home country, and we require it prior to your registration.
Donations…
As a way of thanking local communities for hosting us in their countries and villages. We specifically designate a charitable organization or needy person to receive a portion of our proceeds. In the past, we have donated computer equipment to an impoverished school in rural Thailand, sponsored a year’s culinary scholarship in Cambodia, and purchased an essential motorbike for a guide in Laos. Other donations include seed money to teach sustainable agricultural practices in Thailand’s impoverished Isan region, plus designated grants in the same area to encourage at-risk children to stay in school. We’ve allocated future donations to protect the endangered giant Mekong catfish, and feeding the hungry in a Rangoon monastery.
Our clientele…
We’ve found over the years that our people are perfect travelers — they open themselves to the authentic experiences, while still being very sensitive to the local cultures. Perhaps not surprisingly, most of our groups keep in contact with one another long after the original tour, and we have many repeat customers as a result.
A typical make up includes travel writers and editors, artists, both chefs and amateur cooks alike. Spouses and friends regularly accompany. About a third of the participants come alone. (We occasionally have people who inquire about sharing, so please let us know if that is of interest.) We attract a world-wide group, primarily from Australia and North America, which makes the group interaction even more rewarding. read past comments from members…..
Our hotels…
We pride ourselves in the level of our accommodation, because we feel that if you are experiencing the authentic culture by day, participants will crave the comforts of home by night. The hotels we choose are 4-5 star, luxury boutique, or best available in the town we are staying. We also use central or convenient location as a deciding guide, as well.
Place your deposit now to confirm place on our tour. Early bird discount is applicable through January 2025. Full and final payment is due in full by 90 days prior to the tour commencement date, or April 2025.
Please fill in your registration form and email back to Aileen at TravelManagers.
How to pay…
All prices are based on land-package only and in US$, which is the unofficial second currency of Cambodia..
Final payment due will be US$ calculated on that days exchange rate into Australian dollars. Tour prices do not include international airfares.
This tour originates in Phnom Penh and finishes in Siem Reap,
both common routed.
From past experience many of our members prefer purchasing their flight tickets separately, as it allows them to schedule stop-overs, as well to use air points for tickets or upgrading.Prices are quoted in Australian dollars, and payment should be made via Aileen Collins at TravelManagers.
0418 155 277
(international +61 418 155 277)
EMAIL
Prior to the tour…
Once your deposit is received, we will email you pre-tour package information, which highlights important visa, health and travel information. This should be read immediately..
On arrival…
You will be met personally at the airport by our designated representative. Specific details will be provided in the pre-tour information packet. Upon checking in at the hotel, you will be given a printed day-by-day itinerary, along with tentative times for all activities.