Muscat: Amira bint Iqbal Al Lawati, Director General of Tourism Development and head of the Omani Food and Culinary Arts Tourism Program, announced that the festival will feature a variety of activities, including live cooking shows by top Gulf and Omani chefs. Culinary stars like Kuwait’s Lulwa Al Tanak and Oman’s own Salem Al Sunaidi, Nader Al Aisri, and Kholoud from Dhofar will dazzle audiences alongside a large turnout of food enthusiasts and influencers from Oman and beyond.

The event isn’t just about watching the pros. With sections like the Little Chef Corner, folklore music performances, and various competitions, there’s something for everyone. Visitors can also explore the farmers’ and local products corner, savour authentic Omani dishes at participating restaurants, and shop for gifts and souvenirs.

Al Lawati highlighted that the festival is a key part of the “Food Tourism and Omani Culinary Arts” program, which aims to position Omani cuisine as a global culinary treasure. The initiative seeks to integrate Omani culinary arts into the cultural tourism landscape, offering local communities economic, social, and environmental benefits. By fostering small and medium enterprises and creating jobs in culinary arts, the festival aims to showcase Oman’s rich cultural and heritage traditions.

The Ministry is dedicated to advancing tourism based on Oman’s unique strengths. The Omani Culinary Arts Festival is a strategic effort to spotlight the nation’s culinary heritage, underlining the growing global interest in food tourism. Through the festival and other initiatives, the Ministry aims to document and sustain Omani culinary traditions, innovating recipes to appeal to evolving tastes while maintaining the authenticity of the cuisine.

Al Lawati emphasized that the success of these initiatives hinges on collaboration between public and private sectors, local communities, and the culinary arts industry.