JEDDAH: Leading Saudi chefs are showing off their kitchen skills at the fourth Carnival Altahy (Cooking Carnival) at Al-Muhammadiya Community Center in Jeddah.
Supervised by the Professional Chefs Forum, the carnival provides a platform for Saudi chefs and families to display their culinary skills and traditional dishes.
Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja, the former Saudi ambassador and minister of culture and information, attended the carnival's opening ceremony on Thursday.
Guests enjoyed an array of dishes that showcased the rich culture of Saudi food.
The five-day event, with live cooking demonstrations and culinary competitions, will entertain food and restaurant lovers of all ages.
Over the past two days, residents and visitors from various parts of Jeddah have learned cooking methods from live shows presented by some of the city’s top chefs.
Wail Olia, a certified instructor of the Specialty Coffee Association, is participating in the event for the first time, presenting the renowned Mondo coffee.
He expressed admiration for the carnival’s concept and the public’s engagement.
Olia said it is an excellent platform for interacting with the audience, and offering valuable information on selecting and making coffee.
Renowned chef Fayza Alsulami, a content developer with her own YouTube channel dedicated to cooking tutorials, told Arab News that she is not selling food but sharing easy-to-make and delicious Saudi recipes.
“I am happy with this participation, which reflects the audience’s passion to learn about the components of Saudi cuisine, especially Hejazi cuisine, and the techniques of making formulas of spices and preparing Saudi dishes. It provides the audience with a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the authentic taste of Saudi food.”
Howeida Jamalellail, the event organizer, said that the carnival serves as a platform for cooking enthusiasts, catering not only to chefs but also to those with a special affinity for food apps.
“Dining options in Saudi Arabia are expanding each year, and the carnival is an excellent platform to showcase new tastes and trends,” she added.
Two competitions will be held on the sidelines of the event: a chef uniform design competition supervised by the Future Higher Training Institute and a cooking competition supervised by the Professional Chefs Forum.
Regarding the cooking competition among Saudi amateur chefs, Maram Alshareif, a certified trainer and head of the Professional Chefs Forum, said that the competition offers a unique opportunity for Saudi chefs to showcase their culinary skills.
“Around 104 chefs at various skill levels have entered the competition to display their talents, challenging themselves with diverse cuisines, culinary skills, and creativity,” Alshareif said.
The event will run until Jan. 8 from 5 p.m. to midnight.
