In a significant step for the Middle East and the global gastronomy community, Jeddah–Taif has been officially welcomed as a candidate for the World Region of Gastronomy 2027 Award, joining IGCAT’s international Platform of Regions committed to sustainable, inclusive, and culturally rooted food systems.
This candidacy builds on the regional legacy established by Aseer Region, World Region of Gastronomy 2024, and reflects the continued engagement of Middle Eastern regions with the Platform, highlighting the role of gastronomy in cultural preservation, community empowerment, and sustainable territorial development.
The Jeddah–Taif candidacy recognises Saudi Arabia’s rich culinary heritage and the unique gastronomic corridor formed by the historic coastal city of Jeddah and the fertile highlands of Taif. Together, these territories represent a living dialogue between land and sea, tradition and innovation, and diverse cultural influences shaped by centuries of trade, pilgrimage, agriculture, and hospitality.
As a candidate region, they’re looking forward to collaborating with World Regions of Gastronomy across the globe to promote sustainable food practices, support local producers and creative industries, strengthen food education and research, and position gastronomy as a driver of cultural exchange and responsible tourism.
The candidacy is supported by a diverse and collaborative network of public institutions, academia, civil society, and the private sector. Key stakeholders include the Culinary Arts Commission of Saudi Arabia, advancing the safeguarding, documentation, and promotion of Saudi culinary heritage; and the Institute of Research and Consulting Studies at the Islamic University of Madinah, contributing academic research, policy insight, and community-based expertise.
Further strengthening the initiative are Dar Al-Hekma University, supporting education, innovation, and youth engagement; Azka Foods, representing the private sector’s role in food production and value chains rooted in local traditions; Queen Taste and Aysh Academy, fostering culinary skills development, creativity, and knowledge transmission; the Tour Guides Cooperative, linking gastronomy with storytelling, heritage interpretation, and responsible tourism; and the Abdullah Al Thagafi Cultural Center, contributing to cultural programming, community engagement, and the celebration of local identity.
The Jeddah–Taif region is distinguished by its vibrant food culture, from Red Sea seafood traditions and historic market cuisines in Jeddah, to Taif’s renowned agricultural products, mountain gastronomy, and seasonal foodways. This diversity is deeply connected to local identity, social cohesion, and the sustainable use of natural resources. As part of the candidature process, the region is currently preparing for the IGCAT Jury Visit, scheduled to take place in early February 2026.
By joining the World Region of Gastronomy Platform, Jeddah–Taif signals a long-term vision that places gastronomy at the heart of cultural preservation, economic diversification, and intercultural dialogue. The 2027 candidacy offers an international stage to highlight the region’s culinary heritage, creativity, and commitment to shaping resilient and future-oriented food systems, while strengthening cooperation between institutions, academia, cultural actors, and the culinary sector.
