100 Saudi chefs, baristas attend hospitality event in Jeddah

100 Saudi chefs, baristas attend hospitality event in Jeddah
100 young Saudi chefs and baristas are competing at this year’s hotels, restaurants, and catering event at the Jeddah Dome (ARAB NEWS)
Short Url
Updated 08 February 2023

100 Saudi chefs, baristas attend hospitality event in Jeddah

100 Saudi chefs, baristas attend hospitality event in Jeddah
  • Local and international food and beverages and hospitality-related companies from 30 countries attend the three-day event

Jeddah: More than 100 young Saudi chefs and baristas are competing at this year’s hotels, restaurants, and catering event at the Jeddah Dome.

HORECA is the biggest annual hospitality exhibition in the region, having previously taken place in Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, and Riyadh.

Local and international food and beverages and hospitality-related companies from 30 countries are attending the three-day event that opened on Tuesday.

President of the Saudi Arabian Chefs Association, chef Yasser Jad, told Arab News that this year’s competition, organized by the World Association of Chefs’ Societies and the Saudi association, would not only be focusing on international dishes but also Saudi traditional cuisine.

Jad said: “Through this competition, we seek to identify and promote the popular dishes that are part of the Kingdom’s culinary culture.”

HORECA is hosting the Hospitality Salon Culinaire, in which more than 150 chefs compete in various categories, and the Saudi Barista Competition with around 50 entrants aiming to win the best barista award.

At the opening ceremony, Saud Al-Rajhi, chairman of the Saudi Event Management and Marketing Co., told Arab News: “After the huge success of HORECA for 11 consecutive years in Riyadh, we are proud and honored to introduce HORECA Jeddah for the first time. In addition, we are also bringing to Jeddah the Salon du Chocolat.”

He pointed out that HORECA provided a platform for key buyers to network with investors, retailers, distributors, and stakeholders.

“The three-day event marks an important step forward for Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning hospitality sector and evolving restaurant and cafe scene. We have around 6,000 brands and we are expecting around 30,000 visitors,” he said.

Mohammed Al-Attas, founder and managing partner of Gaiat Hub, a procurement platform for business supplies, credited the Saudi government for helping put the hospitality industry back on its feet.

“The Saudi market is becoming a very encouraging market for all international companies due to the mega projects, the great business environment for foreign investors, the change of Saudi lifestyle, and more,” he said.


Direct flights launched between Saudi Arabia, Venice

Direct flights launched between Saudi Arabia, Venice
Updated 30 March 2023

Direct flights launched between Saudi Arabia, Venice

Direct flights launched between Saudi Arabia, Venice
  • Wizz Air flights between Jeddah and Italy’s most popular tourist destination will be twice a week
  • Airline manager: ‘Our expansion into Saudi Arabia from Italy began only a few months ago and has already proved to be a success’

ROME: The first direct flight between Saudi Arabia and Venice, Italy’s most popular tourist destination, took place on Wednesday.

Flights with low-cost Hungarian airline Wizz Air between the historical lagoon city and Saudi Arabia’s second-largest city Jeddah will be twice a week, operating all year round.  

The new direct flights follow a memorandum of understanding that Wizz Air signed with the Saudi Investment Ministry aimed at enhancing the development of the Kingdom’s tourism sector in line with the Vision 2030 reform program.

Wizz Air launched other direct flights between Italian and Saudi cities in recent months — including from Rome to Dammam and Riyadh, and from Milan to Jeddah — as part of 23 new routes from Europe to the Kingdom.

The departure of the first Venice-Jeddah flight was saluted with a ceremony at Marco Polo Airport in Venice attended by a representative of the mayor.

Tamara Nikiforova, corporate communication manager at Wizz Air Malta, said: “We are happy to continue our expansion into Saudi Arabia from Italy, which began only a few months ago and has already proved to be a success.”

She added: “This new and unique connection to Jeddah will allow all passengers departing from Venice Marco Polo Airport to benefit from the immense historical, artistic and cultural heritage this city offers.”


Saudi leaders congratulate UAE president on new leadership appointments

Saudi leaders congratulate UAE president on new leadership appointments
Updated 30 March 2023

Saudi leaders congratulate UAE president on new leadership appointments

Saudi leaders congratulate UAE president on new leadership appointments
  • Bahrain and Qatar’s leaders also congratulated Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on new appointments
  • Newly-appointed officials received messages of congratulations from the rulers of the rest of the emirates

RIYADH: King Salman of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Al-Nahyan on new leadership appointments.

On Wednesday, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed appointed his eldest son Sheikh Khaled as the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, and his brother Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan as vice president of the UAE.

He also named his other brothers Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al-Nahyan the deputy rulers of Abu Dhabi.

In their cable of congratulations, the Saudi leaders wished the newly appointed officials success in serving the people of the UAE towards further progress and prosperity. They also reiterated the deep historical ties that unite both countries, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.  

Bahrain and Qatar’s leaders also congratulated Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on the new appointments.

In a phone call with the UAE president, Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said he hoped the new appointments would “provide a strong impetus for the country’s development and progress,” reported Emirates News Agency (WAM).

The newly-appointed officials received messages of congratulations from the rulers of the rest of the emirates early Thursday.


Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman project puts its focus on Al-Jubail Mosque

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman project puts its focus on Al-Jubail Mosque
Updated 30 March 2023

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman project puts its focus on Al-Jubail Mosque

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman project puts its focus on Al-Jubail Mosque
  • The initiative aims to increase public awareness about the importance of preserving historical mosques

RIYADH: Al-Jubail Mosque, which is three centuries old and is located in the center of Thaqif in Taif governorate in Makkah, is to be the focus of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques.

The initiative aims at reviving the architecture of Al-Jubail Mosque and increasing public awareness about the importance of preserving historical mosques.

The area of the site will reach 310 sq. meters after renovation, while it will maintain its capacity for 45 worshippers.

The reconstruction of the mosque will utilize methods that maintain its main component, stones from the Sarawat Mountains, in addition to local wood which is to be used in ceilings, pillars, windows, and doors.

Following its refurbishment, the mosque will maintain its narrow openings, for which its unique architectural style is famous.

Originally built with juniper wood, which is known for its durability, Al-Jubail Mosque will be reconstructed using granite stones instead of cement to revive the old Sarat architectural style.

The second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman project focuses on 30 mosques across the 13 regions of Saudi Arabia.

The renovation project strikes a balance between integrating modern and ancient building standards to achieve sustainability and development, while preserving the historical characteristics of the mosques.

Saudi companies specializing in old structures, along with engineers from the Kingdom, are involved in helping to preserve each mosque’s authentic architectural identity.

The project’s first phase involved the restoration of 30 mosques in 10 regions.

The project has four strategic objectives: restoring the buildings for worship and prayer; giving an urban authenticity to historical mosques; highlighting the cultural dimension of Saudi Arabia; and enhancing the religious and cultural status of the locations.

It also contributes to highlighting the cultural depth of the Kingdom by helping to preserve the country’s urban characteristics.
 


KSrelief chief, Equatorial Guinea discuss humanitarian work

KSrelief chief, Equatorial Guinea discuss humanitarian work
Updated 30 March 2023

KSrelief chief, Equatorial Guinea discuss humanitarian work

KSrelief chief, Equatorial Guinea discuss humanitarian work
  • Since its inception in May 2015, the KSrelief has implemented 2,315 projects worth more than $6 billion in 90 countries

RIYADH: Supervisor-General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah received the ambassador of Equatorial Guinea to the Kingdom, Dr. Benigno-Pedro Matute Tang, at the center’s headquarters in Riyadh.

During the meeting, topics of mutual interest related to humanitarian and relief affairs were discussed.

The Guinean ambassador stated appreciation for the center’s efforts exerted in the field of humanitarian work and its efforts to help people and countries in need around the world.

Since its inception in May 2015, the KSrelief has implemented 2,315 projects worth more than $6 billion in 90 countries.

The center’s programs include food security, water sanitation and hygiene, health, education, humanitarian and emergency relief coordination, logistics, nutrition, and emergency telecommunication.

The countries and territories that benefited the most from the center’s various projects were Yemen ($4.2 billion), Palestine ($369 million), Syria ($342 million) and Somalia ($232 million).
 


Who’s Who: Manal Al-Bar, director of marketing at the Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah

Who’s Who: Manal Al-Bar, director of marketing at the Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah
Updated 30 March 2023

Who’s Who: Manal Al-Bar, director of marketing at the Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah

Who’s Who: Manal Al-Bar, director of marketing at the Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah

Manal Hashem Al-Bar was recently appointed director of marketing at the Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah.

The hotel is the UAE-based chain’s first to open in Saudi Arabia and one of its biggest to date.

Spread across four towers it houses a variety of food and beverage venues, more than 90 retail outlets, a gym, executive lounge, and meeting facilities.

Al-Bar will be responsible for leading the marketing team and overseeing integrated marketing and public relations campaigns for hotel rooms, restaurants, and all other facilities.

With more than 13 years’ experience in hospitality leadership roles in Saudi Arabia, she was previously the marketing director for the Venue Jeddah Corniche Hotel.

Al-Bar also worked as director of marketing at the Bonyan Group where she managed Al-Rashid malls in Abha, Madinah, and Jazan, in addition to Marriott hotels in Madinah and two properties in Jazan.

As marketing manager for the Marriott International group in western Saudi Arabia, she oversaw the opening of several hotels, including the Courtyard, Residence Inn Jazan, and Jabal Omar Makkah Marriott.

After joining Hyatt, she was part of the opening of the Jabal Omar Hyatt Makkah, the company’s first branded hotel in Makkah and first Hyatt Regency brand in Saudi Arabia where she developed the marketing plan and introduced the brand and hotel offerings.

Al-Bar gained a bachelor’s degree in English language from King Abdulaziz University and successfully completed several courses to build her marketing foundational skills and techniques.

She also attended a Misk leadership program to obtain on-the-job experience.