Gault&Millau makes Saudi debut with landmark guide featuring nearly 250 restaurants
International collaboration strengthens Kingdom’s fast-growing gastronomic identity
RIYADH – The inaugural Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia Gala took place this week at the Radisson Manhal – Riyadh Radisson Manhal Riyadh, marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding culinary and hospitality landscape.
The event brought together ambassadors, official representatives, chefs, restaurateurs, journalists, influencers and industry partners to celebrate emerging excellence across Saudi gastronomy.
Organised in collaboration with the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission Saudi Culinary Arts Commission under the Ministry of Culture Ministry of Culture and supported by HSME HSME, the gala marked the official launch of Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia. The introduction of the internationally recognised Yellow Guide signalled a new benchmark for culinary quality, creativity and recognition within the Kingdom. The evening also underscored Saudi Arabia’s growing positioning on the global gastronomic stage, with a focus on innovation, heritage and evolving dining experiences across the country.
National guide
A major highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the first Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia Guide, featuring a curated selection of almost 250 restaurants across five key cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, Abha and Dammam Riyadh Jeddah AlUla Abha Dammam. The guide has been designed to set a national standard for culinary excellence while reflecting the diversity of Saudi Arabia’s food culture.
The selection process aims to uncover both established restaurants and hidden gems, offering a broad representation of the Kingdom’s evolving dining identity. It highlights regional flavours, contemporary innovation and traditional influences, bringing together a wide spectrum of culinary styles under one structured evaluation system. Each featured restaurant receives an official Gault&Millau plaque, recognising its inclusion in the national guide and its contribution to the growth of the Kingdom’s food and beverage sector.
The guide also places strong emphasis on accessibility and inclusivity. Through its toque rating system, ranging from 1 to 5, it evaluates restaurants across different price points and dining experiences. This approach allows both residents and visitors to explore Saudi Arabia’s dining landscape with a structured understanding of quality, creativity and consistency.
A notable feature of the first edition is its spotlight on female leadership in the culinary industry. Women restaurateurs and chefs are prominently recognised for their growing influence in shaping Saudi Arabia’s dining scene. Their inclusion reflects a broader shift within the hospitality sector, where creativity and leadership are increasingly diverse and dynamic.
Award highlights
The gala also celebrated outstanding individuals in the culinary and hospitality sectors through a series of prestigious awards recognising excellence, innovation and leadership.
The title of Chef of the Year was awarded to Wed Saleh, acknowledging her contribution to contemporary culinary creativity. The Pastry Chef of the Year accolade went to Hachem Taleb, recognising technical excellence and innovation in pastry arts. Sara Katanani was named General Manager of the Year for her leadership and operational excellence within the hospitality sector.
Emerging Chef of the Year was awarded to Elia Kaadi, highlighting rising talent and promising contribution to the industry. The Young Talent of the Year award went to Nihal Felemban, recognising early achievement and potential in the culinary field.
A special Inspiring Leadership Award was presented to Mayada Badr, CEO of the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission Mayada Badr, in recognition of her role in advancing the Kingdom’s culinary ecosystem and supporting the development of national talent.
Notably, three of the five main awards were presented to women, reflecting the increasing visibility and influence of female professionals within Saudi Arabia’s hospitality and gastronomy sectors. The recognition underscored the growing diversity of leadership within the industry and highlighted the evolving opportunities available to emerging talent across the Kingdom.
Each award presentation formed part of a broader celebration of excellence, reinforcing the importance of mentorship, creativity and professional development in shaping the future of Saudi gastronomy.
A significant step
Speaking at the event, Patrick Hayoun, CEO of Gault&Millau France and International Patrick Hayoun, described the launch as a significant step in the organisation’s global expansion. He noted that Saudi Arabia’s culinary landscape reflects “remarkable momentum”, highlighting the creativity, ambition and authenticity emerging across the sector. He added that the guide aims to discover, support and promote culinary excellence while showcasing the distinctive identity being formed within the Kingdom.
Also addressing the gathering, Mayada Badr emphasised the importance of balancing heritage preservation with innovation. She stated that the initiative reflects the growing maturity and diversity of Saudi Arabia’s culinary sector, while supporting chefs and hospitality professionals in reaching higher standards of excellence. She further highlighted the role of the platform in strengthening both local and international visibility for Saudi gastronomy.
Joumana Dammous Salame, Managing Director of HSME Joumana Dammous Salame, described the launch as a unifying moment for the industry, bringing together chefs, journalists, influencers and partners. She emphasised that the collaboration aims to celebrate excellence, encourage innovation and elevate Saudi Arabia’s culinary reputation regionally and internationally.
Beyond recognition, the Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia platform is structured around three core components: a printed guide, a digital platform and an annual gala. The printed edition serves as a comprehensive reference for restaurant reviews, chef profiles and curated culinary highlights. The digital platform offers updated listings, practical information and wider visibility for establishments across the Kingdom. The annual gala functions as a networking and recognition hub, bringing together stakeholders from across the global hospitality industry.
Founded in 1969 by journalists Henri Gault and Christian Millau, the Gault&Millau Yellow Guide has grown into a global authority in gastronomy, operating across 20 countries and featuring more than 14,000 restaurants. Supported by over 400 professional inspectors, the guide continues its mission to identify, promote and celebrate culinary talent while showcasing local traditions on an international stage.
With further editions planned and additional cities expected to join future selections, the Saudi Arabia launch represents the beginning of a wider effort to map and elevate the Kingdom’s evolving food culture within the global culinary landscape.