Salalah – Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) will host Omani Culinary Arts Festival from August 22 to 26 at Al Hafa Beach in Salalah coinciding with the Dhofar Khareef 2024 celebrations.

The festival will bring together some of the most skilled chefs from Oman and the Gulf region for five days of live cooking shows and cultural activities.

Amira bint Iqbal al Lawati, Director General of Tourism Development and Head of Omani Food and Culinary Arts Tourism Programme at MHT, informed that the festival will feature a variety of activities. “We have a fantastic lineup of chefs, including Kuwaiti chef Lulwa al Tanak, and local talents like Salem al Sunaidi, Nader al Aisri, Mohammed al Saadi, Mohammed Issa, Faisal Sajoor and Umm Ayman from Dhofar. The festival will attract cooking enthusiasts and influencers from Oman and abroad,” she said.

The event will have live cooking demonstrations, a Little Chef Corner for children, popular folk music performances and a farmers’ market showcasing local products, besides cooking competitions. Visitors can  enjoy authentic Omani cuisine at several food stalls and explore a gifts and souvenirs corner.

Amira further informed that the festival is part of the Omani Food and Culinary Arts Tourism Programme, which aims to promote Omani cuisine locally, regionally and globally. “Through this programme, we aim to position Omani culinary arts on the cultural tourism map, supporting local communities and creating opportunities for small and medium enterprises,” she added.

MHT’s focus on food tourism is driven by Oman’s rich cultural heritage and the authenticity of its hospitality. Amira stressed the importance of developing tourism patterns based on Oman’s unique advantages, adding that food and culinary arts are central to the cultural identity of any society. “Food tourism is growing globally, and Oman is well-positioned to benefit from this trend,” she said.

In addition to promoting Omani cuisine, the festival aims to document and preserve the heritage of Omani dishes, while also adapting these to suit the evolving tastes of tourists.

The ministry is working to develop entrepreneurship opportunities in food-related fields and support Omani chefs by offering them international training programmes.

Amira added that the success of these initiatives depends on collaboration between public and private sector entities, as well as the active involvement of local communities and stakeholders. “Together, we can ensure Oman’s culinary traditions continue to thrive and contribute to the nation’s tourism and economic goals.”