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, Borey & Bora
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”.
In early 2016 Borey, a born and bred local from a village just a few kms from town, was running private tours from his bar near the market, when he and Pete decided to join forces in what was the birth of what is Sorya Kayaking Adventures and Sorya Guesthouse today.
Borey’s brother Bora came on board in 2017, and with Pete spending half his time out of the country, the brothers look after the day to day running of the guesthouse, kayaking business and café/bar. And as if that doesn’t keep them busy enough, Borey spends his spare time travelling while Bora fills his days spending time with his young daughter.
Guesthouse & Cafe Crew
M, Yanin, Lida & Meas – Even though M has spent periods of time away from Kratie over the last few years, for most of his time since 2015 he has been a welcome and smiling member of the crew. Yanin, Lida and Meas are more recent additions to the crew, having both come on board in early 2022 after two years of covid chaos. Always keen to improve their English, the crew enjoy talking with and serving the many foreign visitors that pass through Kratie.
Housekeeper – Marry & Lina Marry is a single mother with two kids, had just started with us over a year ago as our housekeeping team. Lina lives in a small village a few kms away from Kratie and joined the team in 2021.
Kitchen Crew
Nuch, Net & Lily – Nuch is a keen cook and married to Bora, so her spare time is taken up spending time and caring for their young daughter. Net is originally from Koh Trong island but has recently moved into a new house in town. Lily is the freshest member of the crew, married with two kids, so her life has gone through many changes. After Net and Nuch were trained by a chef from Sydney, together they and Leng 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 – Ben is the kayaking guide, while Met provides 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.