Jeddah, 7 December 2024. The Culinary Arts Commission has concluded the fourth edition of the "Al-Waleema" Saudi food festival, held over 11 days at the Abadi Al Johar Theater in Jeddah. The festival drew thousands of visitors of various nationalities, giving them the chance to explore the Kingdom's rich culinary heritage through authentic dishes and diverse cooking experiences.

Festival Highlights

  • The "Culinary Heritage" zone: featured 13 sections, each representing one of the Kingdom's regions and showcasing its traditional dishes.
  • The Year of the Camel 2024 zone: presented shows related to camels and their products, a deep-rooted cultural symbol of the Kingdom's heritage.
  • Family activities: included a dedicated children's area combining education and fun to raise children's awareness of local and traditional foods.
  • Food trucks and restaurants: offered dozens of food options blending traditional and inventive dishes to suit every visitor's taste.
  • Entrepreneurship: provided a platform for small and medium-sized business owners to showcase their products and culinary creations, supporting the growth of this vital sector.

Festival Objectives

"Al-Waleema" aims to:

  • Promote Saudi cuisine locally, regionally and internationally.
  • Strengthen the Kingdom's standing as a global destination for food lovers.
  • Highlight the cultural and heritage diversity reflected in Saudi cuisine.
  • Support and empower entrepreneurship in the culinary arts sector.

Continued Success

The festival's success in attracting visitors and diversifying its events cemented its status as one of the leading cultural events showcasing the richness of Saudi heritage, and underscored the Culinary Arts Commission's role in spreading culinary culture worldwide, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.