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Culinary Arts Commission to Launch Spectacular Saudi Feast Food Festival November 23

A veiled woman prepares traditional Saudi food during the Klaija Heritage and Culture Festival at Buraydah near Riyadh. (REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed)
A veiled woman prepares traditional Saudi food during the Klaija Heritage and Culture Festival at Buraydah near Riyadh. (REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed)
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Culinary Arts Commission to Launch Spectacular Saudi Feast Food Festival November 23

A veiled woman prepares traditional Saudi food during the Klaija Heritage and Culture Festival at Buraydah near Riyadh. (REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed)
A veiled woman prepares traditional Saudi food during the Klaija Heritage and Culture Festival at Buraydah near Riyadh. (REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed)

The Culinary Arts Commission will launch its third annual Saudi Feast Food Festival from November 23 to December 2 at King Saud University in Riyadh. The event promises to be a grand celebration of the Kingdom's vast and deep-rooted culinary heritage.
The festival will highlight traditional Saudi dishes and culinary arts to local, regional, and global audiences. Attendees can expect to immerse themselves in unique gastronomic experiences, tasting traditional foods in a unique setting. The festival also will highlight emerging opportunities in the Saudi food industry and discuss the sustainability of such ventures, SPA reported.
The festival boasts an array of diverse activities spanning across 13 distinct zones. Highlights include a section dedicated to the profound culinary heritage, giving visitors a taste of traditional cooking arts. For the younger crowd, there is a children's zone and an engaging interactive farm packed with educational activities that sharpen both sensory and cognitive abilities, all while reflecting the ethos of the festival.
The event caters to culinary professionals and enthusiasts with a dedicated business hub. This space facilitates networking and hosts insightful discussion sessions spearheaded by global industry leaders, aiming to foster job opportunities in the Kingdom's burgeoning culinary scene.
The festival features an Olive Showcase, where visitors can dive deep into everything about olives -- from understanding the tree itself to appreciating its fruit. Here, attendees can explore the unique relationship olives share with Saudi culture, taste various olive varieties, and shop for assorted olive products. The festival also offers a shopping arena where visitors can find unique items from local brands and boutiques. An entertainment corner further enriches the experience, encompassing a mix of live music, instrumental shows, and dynamic performances.
The Republic of Greece is set to display its rich culinary traditions at the festival, highlighting the commission’s goal to introduce a blend of local and international cuisines in the festival. Visitors can delve into a range of dining experiences, with diverse restaurants offering unique dishes. There are also hands-on cooking workshops led by culinary experts, promoting top institutions in the food world. For those seeking an upscale dining experience, there is an exclusive dinner area that serves a blend of the finest Saudi and international dishes. Moreover, there is a live cooking competition spotlighting traditional Saudi recipes. Concluding the event will be the Gourmand Awards at the Business Theater, celebrating the best in global culinary content.
The Saudi Feast Food Festival is a vibrant platform designed to celebrate and exhibit the vast culinary traditions of Saudi Arabia. Organized by the Culinary Arts Commission, this event emphasizes the cultural and historical significance of Saudi cuisine. It provides a unique opportunity for Saudi chefs to exhibit their culinary masterpieces and skills. More than just a food festival, it is an educational experience for the community, drawing international and local chefs, food industry experts, farmers, and enthusiasts. This gathering offers a blend of learning, business, and investment prospects in the world of gastronomy.
The festival seeks to foster a community of food connoisseurs by organizing the most significant event of its kind across the Middle East. It underscores the commitment of Saudi Arabia, championed by the Ministry of Culture, to celebrate food as a cherished part of its national heritage. It also motivates the country's youth who have a passion for culinary arts to evolve their interests into thriving businesses.

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Culture

Makkah’s Neighborhoods Enliven Ramadan Nights with Games, Humanitarian Initiatives

People engage in activities during Ramadan celebrations in Makkah. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
People engage in activities during Ramadan celebrations in Makkah. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Makkah’s Neighborhoods Enliven Ramadan Nights with Games, Humanitarian Initiatives

People engage in activities during Ramadan celebrations in Makkah. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
People engage in activities during Ramadan celebrations in Makkah. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Year after year, young residents of Makkah’s neighborhoods—particularly those surrounding the Grand Mosque—gain experience in organizing Ramadan celebrations, turning these efforts into more than just local initiatives.

What once were independent gatherings in each district have evolved into collective events, blending entertainment with social and humanitarian services in a single space.

As soon as Ramadan is announced, many neighborhoods in Makkah embark on their seasonal race to decorate streets, set up recreational equipment, and organize sports activities.

The planning begins a month prior, with community elders and youth selecting suitable locations in advance. These chosen sites, well-known to residents and even nearby neighborhoods, become vibrant meeting points, drawing people together to celebrate the holy month.

Youth-led initiatives are bringing back the spirit of traditional neighborhoods, creating Ramadan gatherings that blend heritage with modernity.

These events, launched under various names, foster a sense of community while promoting social and humanitarian values.

What sets them apart is their expansion beyond individual districts, transforming local celebrations into broader, inclusive experiences. Each night, these gatherings extend for more than four hours after Taraweeh prayers, filling the streets with festive energy.

Organizers have set clear social objectives, leveraging traditional community gatherings to offer a diverse range of activities.

Residents engage in billiards, table tennis, foosball, video games, and sports, such as volleyball and football.

Cultural initiatives also play a central role, with organizers partnering with charities to host special events.

A designated day is set for honoring various organizations—such as orphan care and disability support associations—allowing their members to participate in all available activities and reinforcing the spirit of solidarity and inclusion.

Some neighborhoods in Makkah have incorporated daily Ramadan iftar gatherings into their community service programs, offering meals not only to residents but also to visitors.

Meanwhile, local centers—such as Al-Hamra district—are organizing cultural events and competitions to enliven Ramadan nights. Special programs are being held for pilgrims near the Grand Mosque, with activities presented in multiple languages to accommodate the diverse crowd.

Ramadan nights in Makkah stand apart from those in any other city, shaped by its sacred status. The city is referenced in the Quran by 11 names, including Al-Balad Al-Ameen (the Secure City), Umm Al-Qura (the Mother of Cities), and Al-Haram Al-Amin (the Safe Sanctuary).

The influx of more than two million pilgrims throughout the holy month keeps the city bustling around the clock, adding to the vibrancy of these local gatherings, which draw visitors at various times and further enhance the significance of these events near the Grand Mosque.

These community-driven celebrations rely on collective efforts, according to Abbadi Al-Mutrafi, an activities organizer in the Al-Malawi district.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said the goal is to keep residents engaged within their own neighborhoods rather than seeking entertainment elsewhere.

“We offer a variety of activities throughout Ramadan, including both traditional and electronic games,” he explained.

Organizer Hadi Al-Hamazi noted to Asharq Al-Awsat that each year brings new elements to the festivities.

“We assess past successes and challenges to refine the programs, ensuring each edition offers fresh cultural and entertainment activities. Our aim is to cater to all segments of the local community—from youth and teenagers to the elderly,” he said.