Live cooking sessions with chefs from Saudi Arabia and abroad were part of Saudifood Show 2026 and Saudifood Manufacturing 2026, giving visitors a close look at their skills, specialized techniques, dish preparation and use of ingredients.

In one session, Saudi executive chef, food developer and culinary consultant Bdoor Badr cooked alongside Italian chef Simone Marchi, combining Italian and Saudi flavors to show what the two cuisines have in common.

Marchi has led culinary programs for Italian missions abroad and has presented dishes inspired by Italy’s regions during Italian Cuisine Week in the World events.

The sessions aim to raise awareness of traditional cuisines as key markers of cultural identity, encourage exchange between cultures through modern ingredients, and create new culinary experiences that keep that identity intact while opening a window onto cultures worldwide.