The participation highlights Saudi Arabia’s ambition to position its traditional ingredients, particularly dates, as premium components in international gastronomy while strengthening cultural exchange through food.

At the exhibition, visitors are introduced to the diversity of Saudi dates, with guided tastings that explore the wide range of flavors, textures and regional varieties grown across the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia produces more than 1.9 million tons of dates annually, offering over 300 varieties that reflect the country’s varied climates and agricultural traditions. These dates are deeply rooted in Saudi culture and daily life, while also serving as a major export product with a growing global presence.

A central attraction of the Saudi pavilion is the innovative pairing of Saudi dates with cheese, inspired by French culinary traditions. This experience blends Saudi heritage with European techniques, offering visitors a unique sensory journey that bridges cultures.

By combining traditional Saudi flavors with modern presentation and international influences, the commission aims to demonstrate how heritage ingredients can be adapted for contemporary global markets.

Live culinary demonstrations by Saudi chefs are another key feature of the showcase. During these sessions, chefs apply French baking and pastry techniques to Saudi dates, creating inventive desserts and snacks that reflect both tradition and innovation.

These demonstrations emphasize creativity, skill and the versatility of dates as an ingredient that can move beyond conventional uses into high-end patisserie and modern cuisine.

Saudi hospitality forms an integral part of the experience, with visitors welcomed through the serving of Saudi coffee alongside the culinary presentations.

This cultural element reinforces the broader narrative that Saudi cuisine is not only about ingredients, but also about customs, generosity and shared experiences. The immersive approach allows international audiences to connect more deeply with Saudi food culture.

Through its presence at SIRHA Bake & Snack 2026, the Culinary Arts Commission also supports local Saudi producers by giving them exposure on a major international platform.

By positioning Saudi dates as a premium and versatile ingredient, the initiative helps create new commercial opportunities for exporters and farmers, while strengthening the global image of Saudi agricultural products.

The commission’s participation aligns with wider national efforts to promote cultural industries, culinary tourism and creative sectors as part of economic diversification. Saudi dates, while traditional, are increasingly being presented as a modern product with global appeal, suitable for gourmet kitchens, bakeries and snack manufacturers worldwide.

The Kingdom’s date exports are valued at over SAR 1.6 billion and reach more than 130 countries, underlining their importance to the national economy.

International exhibitions such as SIRHA Bake & Snack provide a strategic platform to engage with chefs, buyers, food innovators and culinary professionals from around the world.

By showcasing innovation alongside heritage, Saudi Arabia positions itself as a contributor to global food trends rather than only a source of traditional products.

The Paris event also reflects the growing interest in cross-cultural culinary dialogue, where traditional ingredients are reimagined through modern techniques.

Saudi dates, presented in creative desserts and pairings, illustrate how deeply rooted cultural foods can evolve while retaining their identity.

As global consumers increasingly value authenticity, sustainability and storytelling in food, Saudi Arabia’s approach at SIRHA Bake & Snack 2026 demonstrates how heritage ingredients can meet modern expectations.

The Culinary Arts Commission’s participation reinforces the Kingdom’s vision of celebrating its culinary roots while confidently engaging with the international gastronomic community.

Held at King Saud University and organized by the Culinary Arts Commission, the festival runs until Dec. 6 and highlights global culinary diversity through storytelling and live culinary art.

Thailand is participating as this year’s guest country, adding an exciting international dimension to the event.

Its pavilion has quickly become one of the most visited areas, attracting families who come to explore authentic Thai dishes prepared by skilled chefs offering live cooking demonstrations.

Visitors are treated to iconic Thai flavors such as tom yum soup and pad Thai noodles, with chefs explaining traditional techniques, signature ingredients, and the cultural meaning behind each dish.

Traditional Thai dance and music enrich the atmosphere, offering guests an immersive cultural experience beyond the plate.

The inclusion of Thailand aligns with the broader goal of encouraging cultural exchange through cuisine.

Organizers emphasize that culinary traditions act as a universal language, helping people understand each other’s heritage, customs, and creativity.

The festival also places strong focus on Saudi Arabia’s own culinary depth through the Saudi Arabian Food Heritage Zone.

This section features dishes from various regions of the Kingdom, highlighting the diversity shaped by geography, climate, and local traditions.

Dishes such as jareesh, kabsa, maftah, and hanini demonstrate the richness of Saudi culinary identity while offering visitors delicious examples of local craftsmanship.

Visitors can also explore local produce like dates, olive oil, and regional spices that form the foundation of Saudi cooking.

Beyond food, the festival includes a vibrant handicrafts area where artisans present traditional Sadu weaving and pottery practices.

These demonstrations provide cultural insight and celebrate the artistic skills passed down through generations.

The Honey Museum, another key attraction, offers scientific and cultural information about honey production in Saudi Arabia.

Visitors can learn about different honey varieties and the extraction process that reflects the Kingdom’s longstanding tradition of beekeeping.

Families with children can enjoy a dedicated area filled with educational and interactive culinary activities.

This space is designed to connect younger generations with food heritage in an enjoyable and inspiring way.

The festival emphasizes the importance of balancing authenticity with innovation as part of Saudi Arabia’s evolving culinary identity.

Organizers are working toward building sustainable partnerships that support local producers, promote artisans, and extend the impact of the festival beyond its duration.

The Saudi Feast Food Festival continues to grow as a cultural bridge, offering visitors the chance to appreciate global flavors while celebrating the Kingdom’s own culinary heritage.

It stands as a vibrant example of how food can connect communities, spark curiosity, and strengthen cultural understanding.

The announcement was made on World Cities Day, reflecting the growing global appreciation of Madinah’s rich and diverse food culture. The city’s culinary identity is shaped by its agricultural roots, spiritual importance, and centuries of cultural exchange through trade and pilgrimage routes that have long connected it to the wider world.

Mayada Badr, CEO of the Culinary Arts Commission, expressed pride in this achievement, saying that the goal is to build a globally recognized and sustainable brand for Madinah’s cuisine. She explained that the city’s unique ingredients, such as Ajwa dates and traditional herbs, represent not just food items but living symbols of history, tradition, and community.

Badr emphasized that supporting local producers helps preserve these iconic flavors while improving livelihoods. She added that strengthening Madinah’s reputation as a culinary destination can enhance tourism and contribute to economic sustainability.

“Madinah should be seen not just as a spiritual center but also as a vibrant cultural and culinary hub,” she said. “By combining tradition with innovation, we can attract visitors who want to experience the essence of Saudi hospitality through food.”

The Culinary Arts Commission collaborated with multiple local partners to prepare the nomination for UNESCO. The proposal included detailed research, historical data, and cultural insights that highlighted how Madinah’s culinary practices align with UNESCO’s global standards for creativity, sustainability, and community engagement.

The project’s success relied on teamwork between government sectors, private institutions, and local communities. This collaborative model, Badr noted, could serve as a blueprint for other Saudi cities seeking international recognition for their cultural assets.

She also underlined that global recognition should not only celebrate elite chefs or high-end dining but empower small producers, home cooks, and family-owned food ventures. “This achievement belongs to every farmer, vendor, and cook who keeps our culinary traditions alive,” she said.

Authenticity, Badr explained, lies at the heart of Madinah’s cuisine. Yet, innovation ensures its continuity. By blending both, the city can sustain its food heritage while appealing to global tastes.

The recognition will open new opportunities for small and medium enterprises in the culinary field, encouraging them to expand their operations and contribute to local development. One such example is Al-Tabakha, Madinah’s first culinary market, which connects the public and private sectors to promote local food producers and traditional dishes.

Plans are already underway to replicate the Al-Tabakha model in other parts of the Kingdom. The goal is to empower families to share their food stories, sell their homemade products, and engage directly with tourists and international audiences.

Badr highlighted that this global honor must translate into tangible benefits for citizens — from greater income to stronger representation in local and global markets. “We want every small restaurant owner, every date farmer, and every artisan to feel the impact of this recognition in real terms,” she said.

Through its inclusion in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, Madinah stands as a model of how culinary heritage can fuel innovation, tourism, and community empowerment. The achievement not only celebrates the city’s deep connection to food but also positions it as a global ambassador of Saudi culinary excellence.

As the world’s attention turns to Madinah’s kitchens and markets, the city continues to blend spirituality, culture, and flavor — reminding everyone that food is not just nourishment, but a story of heritage, identity, and connection.