Saudi Culinary Arts Commission Announces 4th Edition of Feast Food Festival

File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat
File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Culinary Arts Commission Announces 4th Edition of Feast Food Festival

File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat
File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat

The Saudi Culinary Arts Commission is organizing the fourth edition of the Saudi Feast Food Festival, which will take place at Abadi Aljohar Theater in Jeddah from November 27 to December 6. This event marks a significant celebration of Saudi Arabia's rich culinary heritage.
According to a statement issued by the Culinary Arts Commission, the festival aims to showcase Saudi cuisine to local, regional, and international audiences, positioning the Kingdom as a global culinary destination. Through unique tasting experiences and authentic dining environments, the event will create sustainable opportunities for Saudi Arabia's food sector while offering visitors an innovative journey through traditional Saudi dishes, SPA reported.
The statement said that the festival will feature a diverse array of activities and events across seven main zones. The Culinary Heritage Zone will allow visitors to sample iconic ingredients and recipes from restaurants representing various regions of the Kingdom. The Competition Zone will host cooking contests featuring national and regional Saudi dishes, while a dedicated Children's Zone will provide young participants the opportunity to prepare simple dishes under specialist supervision using local ingredients.
Other highlights include the Educational Zone, which will host workshops, and a dedicated space for gift shops and cookbook sales. A key feature of this year's festival is a special zone dedicated to the Year of the Camel 2024 initiative, showcasing camels and their products while emphasizing their deep-rooted cultural significance.
The Saudi Feast Food Festival serves as a premier knowledge hub, aligning with the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission's mission to celebrate and promote Saudi cuisine as cultural heritage. In addition to highlighting local culinary arts, the festival offers Saudi chefs a platform to showcase their expertise while providing educational content to the public.
The event also brings together entrepreneurs, international and local chefs, restaurant experts, farmers, and industry enthusiasts, fostering educational, commercial, and investment opportunities. As the largest culinary event in the Middle East, the festival seeks to build an integrated community by connecting stakeholders and creating opportunities across the culinary sector.
Through the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission, the festival underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to preserving and developing its cultural heritage. It empowers young Saudi talents to transform their culinary passions into successful ventures, contributing to a sustainable and creative economy.



Qassim Region Principality Illuminated in Green in Celebration of Founding Day

The Qassim Region Principality illuminated in green marking Founding Day - SPA
The Qassim Region Principality illuminated in green marking Founding Day - SPA
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Qassim Region Principality Illuminated in Green in Celebration of Founding Day

The Qassim Region Principality illuminated in green marking Founding Day - SPA
The Qassim Region Principality illuminated in green marking Founding Day - SPA

The Qassim Region Principality building was illuminated in green in celebration of Founding Day.

The scene reflected pride in the historical roots of the Saudi state and embodied feelings of belonging on this cherished national occasion, SPA reported.

The illumination affirms the deep historical significance of Founding Day, marking 299 years since the establishment of the First Saudi State by Imam Mohammed bin Saud.

It also reflects the enduring principles upon which it was founded, including unity, stability, and state-building. These foundations culminate in the security, stability, and prosperity that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia enjoys today under its wise leadership.


Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Restores Century-Old Uqlat Al-Suqur Mosque in Qassim

The renovation utilized traditional mud, stone, and wood to preserve the mosque's authentic Najdi architectural style. (SPA)
The renovation utilized traditional mud, stone, and wood to preserve the mosque's authentic Najdi architectural style. (SPA)
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Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Restores Century-Old Uqlat Al-Suqur Mosque in Qassim

The renovation utilized traditional mud, stone, and wood to preserve the mosque's authentic Najdi architectural style. (SPA)
The renovation utilized traditional mud, stone, and wood to preserve the mosque's authentic Najdi architectural style. (SPA)

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques has completed the restoration of the Uqlat Al-Suqur Mosque in Qassim Region, revitalizing a heritage landmark dating back to 1922, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Saturday.

Originally the only mosque in the area, it served as a vital religious and social hub for education and community governance.

The renovation, executed by specialized Saudi firms, utilized traditional mud, stone, and wood to preserve its authentic Najdi architectural style.

The project increased the mosque's area to 544 square meters, expanding its capacity to 250 worshippers while maintaining its historical identity.

The initiative aligns with Vision 2030 to preserve the Kingdom's urban heritage and boost the cultural and religious significance of its historical mosques for future generations.


Tomb More Than 1,000 Years Old Found in Panama

This handout picture released by Panama’s Ministry of Culture shows an archaeologist working inside a pre-Hispanic tomb approximately 1,200 years old, discovered at the El Cano Archaeological Park in Cocle, Panama, on February 20, 2026. (Handout / Panama’s Ministry of Culture / AFP)
This handout picture released by Panama’s Ministry of Culture shows an archaeologist working inside a pre-Hispanic tomb approximately 1,200 years old, discovered at the El Cano Archaeological Park in Cocle, Panama, on February 20, 2026. (Handout / Panama’s Ministry of Culture / AFP)
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Tomb More Than 1,000 Years Old Found in Panama

This handout picture released by Panama’s Ministry of Culture shows an archaeologist working inside a pre-Hispanic tomb approximately 1,200 years old, discovered at the El Cano Archaeological Park in Cocle, Panama, on February 20, 2026. (Handout / Panama’s Ministry of Culture / AFP)
This handout picture released by Panama’s Ministry of Culture shows an archaeologist working inside a pre-Hispanic tomb approximately 1,200 years old, discovered at the El Cano Archaeological Park in Cocle, Panama, on February 20, 2026. (Handout / Panama’s Ministry of Culture / AFP)

Archaeologists have discovered a tomb more than a thousand years old in Panama containing human remains alongside gold and ceramic artifacts, the lead researcher told AFP on Friday.

The discovery was made at the El Cano site in the Nata district about 200 kilometers (124 miles) southwest of Panama City.

Scientists and archaeologists have already unearthed other remains of pre-Hispanic cultures in the region that has been excavated for two decades.

The skeletal remains were found surrounded by gold objects and pottery decorated with traditional motifs, pointing to these being "high-ranking" individuals, archaeologist Julia Mayo told AFP, adding that the tomb was built between 800 and 1000 AD.

"The individual with the gold was the one with the highest social status in the group," she said.

That body was found with two bracelets, two earrings, and pectoral jewelry that featured bats and crocodiles, she added.

The El Cano archaeological site is linked to the societies that inhabited the central provinces of Panama between the 8th and 11th centuries.

"This is where they buried their dead for 200 years," said Mayo.

Nine other tombs "similar" to the one found on Friday had already been found at the site, she added.

Panama's Ministry of Culture said the discovery was "of great importance for Panamanian archaeology and the study of pre-Hispanic societies of the Central American isthmus," referring to the land that connects North and South America.

According to experts, these excavations demonstrate that death did not represent an end for these societies, but a transition to another phase where social status remained important.