Gault&Millau officially launched its first Saudi Arabia edition during a gala ceremony held on June 2 at Radisson Manhal Riyadh, marking a significant milestone for the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding culinary and hospitality sector.
Organized in collaboration with the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission under the Ministry of Culture and supported by Hospitality Services Middle East (HSME), the event brought together chefs, restaurateurs, hospitality leaders, journalists, influencers, partners, ambassadors and official representatives to celebrate excellence across Saudi Arabia’s dining landscape.
The launch reinforces Gault&Millau’s role as one of the world’s most respected culinary guides and highlights Saudi Arabia’s growing position on the international gastronomic map.
A key moment of the evening was the unveiling of the inaugural Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia Guide, featuring almost 250 restaurants from five major destinations across the Kingdom: Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, Abha and Dammam. The guide aims to establish a national benchmark for culinary quality and creativity while showcasing the diversity of Saudi Arabia’s dining scene.
The publication highlights restaurants ranging from established fine dining venues to emerging culinary destinations, while also celebrating regional flavors, local traditions and contemporary innovation. Particular attention has been given to the contributions of women restaurateurs and chefs, whose leadership continues to play an important role in shaping the Kingdom’s evolving hospitality sector.
Each selected restaurant received an official Gault&Millau plaque in recognition of its inclusion in the national guide and its contribution to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s food and beverage industry.
The gala also honored outstanding professionals through a series of industry awards:
- 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, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission, in recognition of her efforts to advance the Kingdom’s culinary sector and support industry development.
Patrick Hayoun, CEO of Gault&Millau France and International, described the launch as an important milestone in the organization’s global expansion.
“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,” he said. “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.”
Hayoun added that Saudi Arabia presents an exceptional combination of creativity, ambition and authenticity, aligning closely with Gault&Millau’s mission to discover, support and promote culinary excellence around the world.
Mayada Badr said the inaugural gala reflects the growing maturity and diversity of Saudi Arabia’s culinary ecosystem.
“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,” she said. “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, emphasized the significance of the partnership in elevating Saudi Arabia’s culinary profile.
“We are proud to support the launch of Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia in collaboration with Gault&Millau and the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission,” she said. “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.”
Beyond the awards and recognition, the event served as a platform for networking and collaboration, creating opportunities for chefs and hospitality professionals to connect with industry stakeholders from across the region and beyond.
The Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia platform is built around three core pillars. The printed guide serves as a comprehensive resource featuring restaurant reviews, chef profiles, signature recipes and regional highlights. Restaurants are evaluated through Gault&Millau’s internationally recognized toque rating system, ranging from one to five toques and covering a broad spectrum of dining experiences and price points.
Complementing the publication is a dedicated digital platform, integrated within Gault&Millau’s international network, offering updated reviews, practical information and enhanced visibility for participating establishments.
The annual gala will continue as a flagship industry gathering, bringing together culinary professionals, media representatives and partners while recognizing achievements across Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector.
Through this collaboration, Gault&Millau and the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission aim to elevate local talent, establish new standards of excellence and strengthen international connections that support the long-term development of Saudi Arabia’s culinary landscape. Future editions are already planned, with additional cities expected to join the prestigious guide in the years ahead.
Founded in 1969 by journalists Henri Gault and Christian Millau, Gault&Millau has spent more than five decades identifying and promoting exceptional restaurants, artisans and culinary talent worldwide. Today, the guide operates across 20 countries, evaluating more than 14,000 establishments through a network of over 400 professional inspectors.
The Saudi Culinary Arts Commission, established in 2020, continues to lead the development of the Kingdom’s culinary sector through initiatives focused on talent development, cultural preservation and industry growth. Together with the Ministry of Culture, the Commission is working to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s culinary identity while supporting the next generation of chefs and hospitality professionals.
HSME, with more than three decades of experience in hospitality events and exhibitions, remains a key regional platform connecting professionals across the foodservice, hospitality and tourism industries.
