Deana Saukam

To the untrained eye Deana might appear to be a jet-setting adventurer, a tastemaker with a love for fashion, art, globally diverse cuisine. 

Our gal Deana is all of that, in fact. She holds many hats including stylist, photographer, communications expert, writer; but the one we know and love her for most?

Deana is an avid traveler that lets her heart guide her passions. Though she was born and raised in Houston, Texas, her background is a little more illustrious. Her grandfather Saukam Khoy, was the last president of Cambodia before the country fell to the Khmer Rouge in 1975. Deana’s family fled to the United States where they’ve been ever since, bringing their unique take on Cambodian culture to all who interact with them.

Known around Texas as “The East Side Queen”, Deanna is a truly global tastemaker, a piece of living royalty. She spends her time jetting around the globe in search of bold, adventurous meals, alternating between Austin, LA and Paris, among others. Name a city and she’ll excitedly tell you the best places to find pho or fried chicken, her favorite up and coming restaurateurs, food trends for the area, unique ingredients she’s found at the local market. 

Her knowledge of global cuisines runs deep. Her Cambodian background is a fusion of of Southeast Asian, Chinese, and French colonial influences; her cooking, a celebration of all three in perfect harmony.

Take just one look at her Instagram to see why she’s our favorite cross-cultural ambassador. 

Why We Love Deana

It takes courage to travel, but even more to travel to places where the unknown reigns supreme.

After her family was expelled from Cambodia in the late 70’s Deana found herself thinking back on her true heritage, a train of thought that inspired her to return back to her homeland nearly 40 years later. 

She came, she went, she conquered, spending her time endlessly perusing streets in search of new ingredients, old classics like kanom krok, rice flour–coconut cakes that are prepared over charcoal burners. She explored the crab markets of Kep, rented a scooter to explore the countryside at length, refining her love of French cuisine with every piece of kdam chha mrich kchei (crab stir-fried with fresh green peppercorns); hunted for the best recipes from home cooks and chefs.

Deana is special to us because she epitomizes the heart of a traveler. She’s brave, fearless, headstrong; bold and proud of it. 

“I am a pretty adventurous eater. I eat pretty much anything and everything.” 

Her palate is mighty. She’s feasted on everything from Thai-spiced grasshoppers to Parisian éclairs to Maldivian egg curry and beyond, never letting fear get in the way of her insatiable curiosity. 

We never cease to be inspired by her unending devotion to exploring and joie de vie.