• Firewood the first-of-a-kind experiential culinary event will launch in Saudi in December, overseen by the Culinary Arts Commission.
  • Fashion Futures, a hybrid in person and virtual event, to be held simultaneously in Riyadh, New York and Paris, will bring together leaders from the fashion world to discuss sustainability and innovation.

Riyadh – Two of Saudi Arabia’s cultural commissions took part in GITEX Global at the Dubai Trade Centre to discuss the role of technology and innovation across the culture sector. CEO of the Culinary Arts Commission, Mayada Badr, and CEO of the Fashion Commission, Burak Cakmak, were part of the Leaders Vision program, and were joined by fellow panelist, CEO of the Saudi e-Sports Federation, Turki Al Fawzan.

The CEO duo took part in the panel discussion – From the Kingdom of Oil to the Kingdom of Creativity: Unleashing Saudi Arabia’s Creative Sectors – where the conversation covered the breadth of the fashion and culinary arts sectors. Touching on both commissions’ initiatives, success stories to date, and plans for the emerging cultural scene, the panel also reflected on the role of tech in Saudi’s cultural transformation, with a particular focus on the acceleration of trends that have emerged during and post COVID-19. 

CEO Mayada Badr, Culinary Arts Commission said: “Technology has always been part of the culinary sector, whether it’s a tool that we use in the kitchen or machinery used in food production. Over the past two years, we have seen an increase in the use of technology and innovation. This was especially the case when Covid-19 forced us into lockdowns. The use of digital technologies was boosted significantly in the F&B sector, which continued to grow and innovate throughout the pandemic.”

Mayada continued: “Saudi Arabia has the biggest F&B sector in the Middle East, and we are working to develop every part of that sector, from hospitality to food tourism.  A mainstay of the Commission’s work is education where we are working to create schools and offer programs to educate the next generation of Saudi chefs. With Vision 2030 the Kingdom is witnessing a cultural transformation, even Saudis are discovering their own country and taking pride in their heritage and identity.”

Mayada discussed two exciting experiential food concepts launching in December. Saudi Feast Festival will launch in Jeddah, showcasing Saudi street food, alongside cooking workshops and talks by eminent chefs. The second concept is called Firewood, which will recreate an authentic desert Bedouin experience with music and folklore where flavors of the past are reimagined with a contemporary twist.

Turning to the fashion sector, CEO Burak Cakmak, said: “Fashion is quickly adapting to the digital realm in a unique way. Rendering, partnering with video games, and using robots in manufacturing are only a few examples of that. Technology is creating a huge opportunity where we can use our brand value to generate revenue, and every brand will start to play a part in this digital space.

“At the Fashion Commission, technology enabled us to create opportunities for many Saudi talents and entrepreneurs. We have launched fashion incubators, a leadership skills development program called Elevate for the next female leaders in the industry, and the Saudi 100 Brands initiative which connected local entrepreneurs with international brands for mentorship.”

Burak also announced the dates of the Fashion Commission’s flagship fashion event being held in Riyadh, between the 9 and 10 December, with satellite locations in Paris and New York. The event will bring together fashion industry leaders from around the world to discuss sustainability and innovation, and how to regulate and navigate the sector of the future.

Saudi Arabia has an exciting last quarter of the year thanks to a rich program of cultural events happening across the Kingdom. From the inaugural Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah to the first contemporary arts Biennale in historic Ad-Diriyah, they will provide platforms for global creatives to engage, collaborate and learn.

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