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RIYADH: InFlavour Expo, the renowned international culinary exhibition, is all set to kick off at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Riyadh on Sunday.

InFlavour is a premier global event that brings together science, technology, art, business, hospitality, and cuisine. It draws in esteemed Michelin-star chefs, industry pioneers, global brand representatives, and international luminaries.

The event, held in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, is scheduled to run from October 29 to 31. Attendees will be treated to traditional Saudi delicacies, including maqshush, Saudi coffee, and dates.

Among the 200 pioneers in the food and beverage (F&B) industry, celebrity chefs Marco Pierre White and Manal Al-Alem will be gracing the lineup, alongside leaders from companies such as Big Idea Drinks, Ossiano, and Kitopi, the world’s leading multi-brand restaurant, and tech unicorn.

Acknowledged as the “godfather of modern cooking,” Marco Pierre White fervently supports the growth and advancement of the F&B industry. He considers it a great privilege to be headlining the inaugural InFlavour event in Saudi Arabia.

White remarked, “InFlavour’s launch in Saudi Arabia is an incredibly exciting development, not only due to its potential to significantly accelerate the Kingdom’s burgeoning food sector but also because of its clear dedication to enhancing food security and inspiring innovation across local and global businesses, backed by the government.”

“Middle Eastern cuisine is all about unity, sharing, socializing, and indulgence, and I believe that InFlavour embodies these values. When international expertise, local insights, technology, and cuisine converge, remarkable things can happen. Given the impressive list of expert speakers, expectations should be set high,” White added.

Saudi Arabia’s Culinary Arts Commission will also be actively participating in the expo, unveiling its forward-thinking strategy for the culinary arts sector. This strategy includes the launch of a business incubator for Kawn, a program designed to support businesses and startups by offering mentorship and workshops to facilitate their entry and competition in the market. The incubation period for participants will span four to six months.

Moreover, the commission will showcase the Abde’a cultural license platform, which aims to promote greater private sector involvement in cultural events and initiatives.

The commission’s involvement underscores its commitment to empowering Saudi chefs, fostering interactions with renowned culinary experts worldwide, and spotlighting the rich, time-honored traditional recipes of Saudi cuisine.

The expo is indicative of a significant shift in Saudi Arabia’s approach to addressing crucial challenges in the F&B industry, considering the current state of the global food system. The Kingdom is taking steps to bolster the efficiency of its food systems in pursuit of food security and sustainability, recognizing their paramount importance in tackling these challenges.

The InFlavour conference is expected to host 40,000 visitors, feature over 200 speakers, showcase more than 600 exhibitors, and welcome more than 200 international investors and venture capitalists specializing in the food and hospitality sector.

The conference will delve into critical issues, including food and water security, agritech, sustainability, logistics, food tech and investment, alternative proteins, plant-based food, concept restaurants, culinary excellence, food waste, retail, and e-commerce.

According to Saleh Bindakhil, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Saudi Arabia boasts the largest food and beverage market in the region and is fast-tracking its ambitions to become a leading global market for food trade and hospitality.

Bindakhil also emphasized that InFlavour will bolster Saudi Arabia’s food imports and exports, and expedite the establishment of new standards in product-sourcing options to elevate the realms of hospitality and consumer experience.

The food industry in Saudi Arabia is experiencing a significant upsurge due to substantial investments in hotels and resorts, an influx of F&B entrepreneurs, and a willingness to embrace and integrate technology, Bindakhil added. “All these factors will revolutionize the food service landscape in Saudi Arabia. InFlavour serves as the epicenter and driving force behind this industry-wide convergence.”

The Ministry of Investment conservatively predicts that the Kingdom’s food service sector will experience a 6 percent annual growth over the next five years. In contrast, the independent market intelligence provider Fortune Business Insights anticipates that the sector will expand by 11.5 percent annually, reaching a value of $30.47 billion by 2029.