Saudi Arabia Opens Registration for Top Culinary Competitions

Saudi Arabia has opened registration for two of the world’s most prestigious culinary competitions, the Bocuse d'Or and the Pastry World Cup. The events are set to take place during the Sirha Arabia exhibition in Riyadh this October.

Organised by the Culinary Arts Commission in collaboration with Sirha Food, the competitions aim to identify and support top culinary talent across the Kingdom. Selected chefs will go on to represent Saudi Arabia in the Middle East qualifiers, which the Kingdom will host in 2026, ahead of the international finals in Lyon, France, in January 2027.

The initiative is part of broader efforts to promote Saudi culinary excellence on the global stage, offering participants a platform to showcase local cuisine’s richness and creativity. Contestants will undergo a selection process involving technical evaluations, creativity challenges, and interviews, with finalists receiving tailored training to prepare for future competition stages. To qualify for Bocuse d’Or, applicants must be Saudi nationals aged 23 or older and demonstrate expertise in either turned vegetable or brunoise techniques.

For the Pastry World Cup, entries must revolve around the theme “Elevating Saudi Dessert,” and while no age limit applies, non-Saudi applicants must disclose how long they have worked in the Kingdom.