RIYADH: The Saudi Culinary Arts Commission, under the Ministry of Culture, is showcasing the Kingdom’s vast and diverse culinary heritage at the international SIRHA Bake & Snack 2026 exhibition in Paris this week.
Mayada Badr, CEO of the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission, said in a statement: “SIRHA Bake & Snack is a leading global gathering of culinary expertise and innovation, making it a vital platform for Saudi Arabia to showcase the diversity of our culinary heritage and the variety of our flavors.”
The commission is showcasing date vendors that guide visitors through the diverse and distinct flavors of dates, and a cheese and date pairing experience that combines Saudi culture with French culinary inspiration at the event running from Jan. 18 to 21.
A key feature of the experiences is live culinary demonstrations by Saudi chefs, who blend French techniques with Saudi dates to create unique takes on desserts and pastries, all topped off with typical Saudi hospitality through Saudi coffee to complete the cultural experience.
Through these vendor experiences, the Culinary Arts Commission presents Saudi dates as a premium ingredient, demonstrating how traditional flavors can be reimagined through contemporary culinary techniques, while also supporting local producers through these key international platforms.
Saudi Arabia produces over 1.9 million tons of dates annually and offers more than 300 varieties. While central to Saudi culture, the value of its date exports exceeds SAR 1.6 billion, and it has a global reach of more than 130 countries.
