RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – June 3, 2026 — The inaugural Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia Gala took place yesterday, June 2, 2026, at the Radisson Manhal in Riyadh, marking a historic milestone for the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving culinary and hospitality sectors. Held in the presence of ambassadors, official representatives, chefs, hospitality professionals, and media, the landmark event celebrated culinary excellence and honored the exceptional talents shaping the future of Saudi gastronomy.
The gala marks the official launch of Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia. Held in collaboration with the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission (under the Ministry of Culture) and supported by Hospitality Services Middle East (HSME), the evening reaffirmed the standing of the prestigious Yellow Guide as a trusted international benchmark for culinary quality, creativity, and authenticity.
Unveiling the Official Guide: A New National Benchmark
A major highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the official Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia Guide. Featuring a carefully curated selection of almost 250 restaurants across five major cities—Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, Abha, and Dammam—the guide establishes a new national standard, firmly positioning Saudi Arabia on the global gastronomic stage.
The selection aims to uncover hidden gems, showcase regional diversity, and highlight the Kingdom’s distinctive flavors, traditions, and modern culinary innovations. Crucially, the guide shines a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of women restaurateurs and chefs whose leadership continues to elevate Saudi Arabia’s dining scene. Each selected restaurant receives an official Gault&Millau plaque, acknowledging its contribution to the growth and visibility of the Kingdom’s dynamic Food & Beverage (F&B) industry.
Honoring Leadership and Talent
The evening honored exceptional talent through five special trophies, three of which were awarded to brilliant women leading the industry:
- Chef of the Year: Wed Saleh
- Pastry Chef of the Year: Hachem Taleb
- General Manager of the Year: Sara Katanani
- Emerging Chef of the Year: Elia Kaadi
- Young Talent of the Year: Nihal Felemban
A special Inspiring Leadership Award was presented to Mayada Badr, CEO of the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission, recognizing her vision and invaluable work in empowering the local industry.
Executive Perspectives
Patrick Hayoun, CEO of Gault&Millau France and International:
“The launch of Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia represents an important step in our international journey and reflects the remarkable momentum of the Kingdom’s culinary scene. Through this first edition, we are proud to highlight almost 250 restaurants and recognize the chefs, teams, and talents shaping a distinctive Saudi gastronomic identity. Gault&Millau’s mission has always been to discover, support, and promote culinary excellence, and Saudi Arabia offers an extraordinary landscape of creativity, ambition, and authenticity.”
Mayada Badr, CEO of the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission:
“The launch of the first Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia Gala reflects the growing maturity, creativity, and diversity of the Kingdom’s culinary sector. At the Culinary Arts Commission, we are committed to preserving Saudi culinary heritage while empowering chefs, restaurants, and hospitality professionals to innovate and reach new levels of excellence. This platform contributes to strengthening the visibility of Saudi gastronomy locally and internationally while supporting the Kingdom’s broader cultural transformation.”
Joumana Dammous Salame, Managing Director of HSME:
“We are proud to support the launch of Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia. This first edition is an important moment for the Kingdom’s culinary scene, bringing together restaurants, chefs, journalists, influencers, and partners around one shared ambition: to celebrate excellence, encourage innovation, and give Saudi gastronomy the recognition it deserves on both the regional and international stage.”
A Multi-Platform Ecosystem for the Future
The Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia platform operates across three primary pillars to ensure sustained industry growth:
- Printed Guide: Features expert reviews, chef profiles, signature recipes, and regional highlights. Restaurants are rated using the iconic toque system (from 1 to 5 toques), covering various price points to remain accessible and inclusive.
- Digital Platform: Integrated into the international network, the Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia website offers real-time restaurant reviews, practical details, and direct links to local establishments.
- Annual Gala: Designed as an annual cornerstone gathering, the event provides a networking and collaborative ecosystem for chefs, journalists, and global partners to foster long-term international connections.
Looking ahead, Gault&Millau and the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission plan further editions, with new cities set to be integrated into future listings.
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