RIYADH: The Saudi Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s deep concern over the Syrian regime’s continuing escalation of attacks on Eastern Ghouta and their impact on civilians, stressing that the regime must cease violence and allow access of humanitarian and relief assistance.
Chaired by King Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace on Tuesday, the Cabinet said the Syrian regime must take seriously the track of the political solution to the Syrian crisis according to agreed principles represented in the Geneva Declaration and UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
The Cabinet has thanked the king for patronizing the opening ceremony of the Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum and inaugurating a Saudi aid platform, the first one in a region of this size, to present the Kingdom’s relief, humanitarian and developmental contributions.
The Cabinet expressed its appreciation to the king for his royal order approving the Ministry of Defense’s development program, as well as the royal order establishing the High Commission for Asir Region Development.
The king wished success to officials appointed by royal orders on Monday in serving their homeland and citizens, and he appreciated the officials who have performed their missions and responsibilities during their terms.
The Cabinet also echoed the Kingdom’s emphasis at the Ambassadors’ meeting of the Group of 77 and China in New York, USA, on the importance of serious cooperation to achieve sustainable development goals and their effectiveness in UN reforms. The Kingdom has provided nearly $125 million over the past three years through the UN, meeting its call to continue supporting relief funds, especially in fighting poverty.
The Kingdom’s statement at the international conference of the Countries of Africa’s Sahel Region, held in Brussels, was also referred to, particularly its efforts to combat extremism and terrorism. The Cabinet cited its 100 million euros’ worth of support for the joint force to combat terrorism in the region, as well as its humanitarian aid to refugees through the Riyadh-based King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), and the developmental support to these countries through the Saudi Fund for Development.
Also praised were the contents of the “Jeddah Declaration” issued at the fourth session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Conference of Ministers of Labor with the participation of 56 Islamic countries, and regional and international organizations.
The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s condemnation of the terrorist bombing of two cars in the Somali capital of Mogadishu and the attacks in Kabul and Farah Province in Afghanistan, expressing condolences to the victims’ families and wishing the wounded and injured a speedy recovery.
Saudi Cabinet demands end to Syrian regime’s violence
Saudi Cabinet demands end to Syrian regime’s violence
Saudi chef wins culinary competition
- Event aimed to empower chefs’ ability to showcase talent on global scale
- Bayan Abdullah Al-Sudani: It (has) encouraged me to participate in more challenging spaces
RIYADH: A Saudi has won the Saudi Elite Chefs competition at Horeca Riyadh.
The event, which was organized by the Culinary Arts Commission of the Ministry of Culture, in alignment with the ministry’s long-term goals, aimed to empower Saudi chefs’ ability to showcase their talent and creativity on a global scale.
Speaking to Arab News, the winner, Bayan Abdullah Al-Sudani, shed light on how the competition equipped her with confidence for the future, saying: “It was a big challenge, and I faced off against strong chefs. It (has) encouraged me to participate in more challenging spaces.”
On her future plans, Al-Sudani wants to give back to the industry, and added: “I look forward to opening the Bayan Academy soon so that I can support chefs and help them with the pastry sector specifically.”
Celebration and achievement were echoed throughout, and it was evident at the event that the culinary industry in the Kingdom is hungry for growth, recognition, and global competition.
Seba Zarea, general manager of strategy and program delivery at the Culinary Arts Commission, told Arab News of the many facets of the industry that the ministry was prioritizing.
Zarea said: “This competition is just one of the initiatives that the Culinary Arts Commission is working on. There are also local scholarships (and) vocational training. We are also working on attracting the best culinary schools to Saudi. For example, Le Cordon Bleu is opening next year in Misk City.”
Zarea stressed the rewards of events like the Saudi Elite Chefs competition, adding that the winner had a fast track to Bocuse d’Or and the World Pastry Cup — representing global opportunities to place both competitors and Saudi cuisine on the map.
Zarea added: “Food is a soft power and, in terms of tourism, food is a universal language so we codified the Saudi cuisine, an initiative started four years ago, and we came up with more than 1,300 codified recipes, items, and local produce from the Kingdom.”
Zarea went into depth on some of the behind-the-scenes efforts that have helped create the food that the Kingdom is able to showcase.
She shared the example of the Wild Plant Initiative, a program designed to explore plants of various regions in the Kingdom to discover new ingredients that can be integrated into Saudi cuisine.
These efforts go into helping to build an industry that is rooted in culture, creativity, and passion.
In the same way that the Saudi Elite Chefs competition provides its winners and participants with the tools to bring their success to global attention, the Culinary Arts Commission works to elevate the Kingdom’s cuisine through tourism and hospitality.
Zarea said: “This sector is the easiest way to showcase the culture.”
