Paella from the Spanish pavilion, Azura Tour de Espana, won over visitors’ palates. Beer and wine halal variants also generated interest.
Visitors who set out on a culinary tour of Europe in the heart of Saudi Arabia were treated to a variety of distinct tastes and experiences at Riyadh’s first European Food Festival.
The festival was held on March 16 and 17. It was organised by the EU embassy in Riyadh in collaboration with the various embassies of EU member states, the Saudi Commission for Culinary Arts, and the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh.
Jaap Ora, the project manager for the EU Embassy in Riyadh, officially opened the festival. Ora highlighted his happiness at the event’s planning in his speech, which brings together a number of European nations to introduce their culinary customs to their Saudi friends.
He thanked all the partners, including the Saudi Arabian Chefs Association, the Culinary Arts Commission, and Mayada Badr and her team, for their kind support of the initiative and for bringing a Saudi element, specifically Saudi coffee, to the event. He mentioned devoted hotel partners, including the Hilton Hotel, the Radisson Blu Hotel, and others.
Ora clarified: “The concept of such a festival was born out of the common appreciation for good food that Europeans and Saudis have, as well as our desire to highlight the range and quality of European food and share the richness and refinement of European cuisine available in Saudi Arabia.
“Countries share their cultures among themselves,” he continued. Visitors from other countries laud Saudi Arabia’s culinary customs and friendliness. We encourage you to experience the diversity of European food this evening like tourists visiting the continent.
The festival’s participating nations offered a variety of gastronomic specialties to attendees.
Visitors to Belgium were enchanted by the soft, lightly caramelised Liège waffles. The Danish nation presented drinks and cake with dried fruits, while the Czech Republic featured the greatest cronuts in Prague from the Oh Deer Bakery. Children’s favourite Dutch waffles were served to festival attendees by the Netherlands.
Risotto, pasta, and pizza were served in the French restaurant Chez Bruno, along with refreshing lemonade with cucumbers and elderflower syrup, which has a taste a little like litchi and is renowned for its therapeutic benefits.
The festival featured a number of well-known French bakeries, including La Grenier à Pain, La Vie Claire, Fareen, and Eric Kayser, who provided macarons, madeleines, quiche, brioche, meringues, and croissants loaded with frangipane or pistachio cream. Both children and adults enjoyed the Crêpe House, patiently waiting in line while appreciating and taking in the festival-like ambiance with its diverse colours and aromas.
The Eataly stand included a broad selection of Italian foods, including pizza, cannelloni, lasagna, and outstanding gelato that brought the tastes and sights of Italy to the Kingdom.
Paella from the Spanish pavilion, Azura Tour de Espana, won over visitors’ palates. Beer and wine halal variants also generated interest.
A Flamenco group gave a performance to a lively collection of Spanish songs, and the festival’s atmosphere was improved by the warm singing and elegant dancing.
“Visitors who set out on a culinary tour of Europe in the heart of Saudi Arabia were treated to distinctive tastes and experiences at Riyadh’s inaugural European Food Festival. The festival was put on by the European Union representative in Riyadh in association with the Embassies of EU member states, the Saudi Commission for Culinary Arts, and the Diplomatic Quarter. It took place on March 16 and 17”
Many lotus cakes in the form of domes were available at the Portuguese Delta Cafe. Portuguese songs were also performed by the well-known musical group Al-Manata, which was founded by Portuguese immigrants who met in Saudi Arabia.
News was given an explanation of the association’s competition, which was held in conjunction with the festival, by Yasser Jad, president of the Saudi Arabian Chefs Association and a consultant for the culinary hotel industry.
It’s a two-day tournament that Tamimi Market and Qasr Al-Awani are funding. Since the ingredients for international food originate from EU nations, there are two categories: one for traditional and current Saudi cuisine, and the other for all other cuisines.
A starter and a main dish must be presented by the chef/candidate. Their food must be finished and presented within an hour.
A jury of two, he said, would assign a score based on predetermined standards that they had previously settled upon.
