On August 26, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) concluded the inaugural 'Omani Culinary Arts Festival,' marking a significant milestone in the Sultanate of Oman. This festival, spanning from August 22 to 26 at Al Haffa Beach within the Wilayat of Salalah, coincided with the activities of the 2024 Dhofar Khareef season, adding to its cultural significance.
The festival boasted a diverse array of activities, all meticulously planned over a span of five days, which drew in a substantial number of visitors, both local and international. The total attendance exceeded 50,000, a testament to the festival's appeal. Among the highlights were live cooking demonstrations featuring some of the most esteemed Omani and GCC chefs, including Lulwa Altaanak, Nader Al Aisari, Ahmed Al Saadi, Mohammed Issa, Faisal Sajoor, Umm Ayman, and Khulood.
Furthermore, the festival showcased the participation of the Oman Tourism College, renowned photographer Haitham Al Farsi, and a panel of entrepreneurs engaged in discussions on innovation within Omani cuisine. The event also featured various sections, each contributing to the overall experience, such as the Little Chef's Corner, traditional music folklore performances, competitions, the Farmers Corner, restaurants serving authentic Omani cuisine, and a Souvenir Corner. Over 34 local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) were involved in this celebration of culinary arts.
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has placed a strong emphasis on promoting and elevating culinary tourism, with a particular focus on Omani culinary arts and cuisine. This initiative aims to foster interest in Omani cuisine at local, regional, and global levels through specialized forums, festivals, and events dedicated to culinary tourism. The festival is a pivotal part of the 'Food Tourism and Omani Culinary Arts' program, which the Ministry is utilizing to introduce Omani cuisine as a means to achieve economic, social, and environmental sustainability. This program also seeks to elevate Omani culinary arts on the cultural tourism map, leveraging tourism to benefit local communities, create business opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and generate employment opportunities within the culinary arts sector.
The program is committed to preserving the heritage and history of Omani cuisine, ensuring its sustainability through the evolution and innovation of recipes and menus to meet the changing preferences of tourists. It also aims to maintain the core ingredients that distinguish Omani cuisine while encouraging innovation in supply chain products to enhance competitiveness. Moreover, the program is dedicated to benefiting local communities, fostering entrepreneurial opportunities in manufacturing, services, and tourism products, and creating unique experiences for visitors.
