Pete’s Pizza Pasta Cafe & Bar is a 24 seat cafe based on the Mekong riverside in Kratie, Cambodia. The business opened in November 2015 (replacing Sorya Café) with a singularly western menu, making it the only eating place in Kratie that does not sell rice. In addition to providing jobs for local people, the goals of the business include serving authentic Italian style pizza and pasta, along with an array of fresh salads and homemade freshly baked breads, muffins and cookies. Also on offer is a range of international wines, local beers, espresso coffee and a variety of other hot and cold drinks.
The Kingdom of Cambodia is actively trying to grow its tourism market and empower its young people through employment and training opportunities. Pete’s Pizza Pasta & Cafe is proud to be part of this evolution.
Captains of the Crew
Pete – Owner
Originally from NZ before moving to Australia in the late 1980s, Pete turned his back on the corporate world in Sydney to immerse himself in the challenges and joys of life in Cambodia.
Being an avid traveller and never needing much of an excuse to board a plane, Pete first visited Cambodia in 2011. He returned in 2014 and spent a couple of weeks on and around the Mekong. After enjoying a half day kayaking trip with Sorya Kayaking Adventures one afternoon, he was chatting with the then owner about life and business in Cambodia, and as the saying goes “the rest is history”.
Bora – Manager
Bora who lives in a small village a few kilometres away from Kratie town. Bora looks after the day to day running of the guesthouse, kayaking business and café/bar. And if that doesn’t keep him busy enough, Bora fills his days spending time with his young daughter.
Guesthouse & Cafe Crew – Soda, Chanda & Nuch
Soda comes from a village just south of Kratie but now lives in Kratie town. Chanda comes from the same village as Soda, while Nuch is originally from Phnom Penh but now lives in a village a few kms north of Kratie. Soda recently completed a degree course at a local university and spends his weekend enjoying activities at his local church. Chanda’s days off are usually spent relaxing with her fiancée, who she will be marrying in early 2020. Nuch is married to Bora, and when not at work is at home looking after their young daughter. Always keen to improve their English, the crew enjoy talking with and serving the many foreign visitors that pass through Kratie.
Kitchen Crew – Sokry, Net & Than
Sokry and Net are both from Koh Trong island and previously worked together in a local restaurant in Kratie town, while Than lives in a village a north of town with her two daughters. After being trained by a chef from Sydney, together they create delicious thin base pizza & pasta dishes, freshly baked bread, muffins and cookies, as well as a variety of sandwiches and egg dishes.
Kayak Crew – Ben, Met & Mean
Ben is the kayaking guide, while Met and Mean provide kayak support by driving the truck, buying the snacks and cleaning and caring for the kayaks, paddles, life jackets and dry bags. Ben can usually be spotted driving his tuk-tuk around town when he’s not in a kayak, and lives in Kratie with his wife and young children. Met, who always seems to have a smile on his face, is from Kampi (15km north of town where the dolphin pool is located) and has recently become a dad. Mean is also from Kampi, and even though he doesn’t say much, he is always keen to help.