First Saudi Culinary Innovation Lab Opens at Alfaisal University

Saudi Arabia’s first Culinary Innovation Lab has been inaugurated at Alfaisal University in Riyadh by the Culinary Arts Commission, positioning it as a dedicated space for collaboration across culinary practice and scientific research. The lab is designed to bring chefs, scientists, and entrepreneurs together to explore new solutions in food safety, nutrition, and sustainable production.

Located on the Alfaisal University campus in Riyadh, the facility provides a shared environment for developing and testing approaches that address practical needs in the food sector. Areas cited include food safety, nutrition, and sustainable production, with the lab intended to support the work of culinary professionals, academic researchers, and start-up founders working on food-related challenges.

The inauguration marks the first dedicated culinary innovation facility of its kind in Saudi Arabia. By formalising a space for chefs, scientists, and entrepreneurs to work side by side, the lab sets a platform for advancing research-informed practices within kitchens, laboratories, and early-stage ventures operating in Riyadh and beyond.