Top chefs collaborate with Saudi talent at Dinner Incredible in Riyadh
Top chefs collaborate with Saudi talent at Dinner Incredible in Riyadh/node/2618298/lifestyle
Top chefs collaborate with Saudi talent at Dinner Incredible in Riyadh
The collaboration, between six local chefs with an equal number from abroad, created space for dialogue about techniques, ingredients and perspectives. (Supplied)
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Updated 09 October 2025
Hams Saleh
Top chefs collaborate with Saudi talent at Dinner Incredible in Riyadh
12 chefs celebrate the Kingdom鈥檚 culinary heritage
All about 鈥榗o-creation,鈥 says Nomas鈥 area manager
Updated 09 October 2025
Hams Saleh
DUBAI:聽Riyadh has further strengthened its standing as a global dining destination with Dinner Incredible KSA 2025, a gastronomic event uniting international chefs linked to Michelin-starred restaurants, with 黑料社区鈥檚 culinary talent.
Held on Oct. 1 and 2 at Cucina Restaurant and at Nomas Restaurant in the Marriott Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter, the exclusive event offered guests an 11-course fusion menu celebrating the meeting of Saudi heritage and international techniques.
The exclusive event offered guests an 11-course fusion menu celebrating the meeting of Saudi heritage and international techniques. (Supplied)
鈥淎fter the success of last year鈥檚 edition, we felt there was still so much more to explore and share,鈥 Nader Ibrahim, area general manager at Nomas by Marriott, told Arab News in a written reply to questions recently.
鈥淩iyadh is rapidly evolving as a gastronomic capital, and Dinner Incredible provided a platform to bring international chefs and local talent together under one roof.鈥
The collaboration, between six local chefs with an equal number from abroad, created space for dialogue about techniques, ingredients and perspectives.
Ibrahim said the initiative also empowered young Saudi chefs. (Supplied)
鈥淚t was about co-creation 鈥 a celebration of Saudi flavors interpreted through world-class craftsmanship,鈥 Ibrahim said.
Local ingredients included dates, loomi (dried lime), regional grains, camel dairy and native herbs, while inspirations from Najd, Hejaz, Asir and the Eastern Province guided the storytelling behind each course.
Classics such as Qursan and coffee-glazed meats were presented using modern techniques that maintained their traditional essence, Ibrahim said.
Beyond its refined dining experience, Ibrahim said the initiative also empowered young Saudi chefs.
鈥淲orking alongside international mentors gave them exposure, confidence and networks that will help shape the next chapter of Saudi cuisine,鈥 he said.
鈥淒inner Incredible has become more than a meal 鈥 it鈥檚 a movement celebrating heritage, innovation, and cultural pride.鈥
鈥楾ron: Ares鈥 star and director on exploring the future of AI聽
Jodie Turner-Smith and Joachim Ronning discuss the latest installment in the seminal sci-fi franchise聽
Updated 09 October 2025
Shyama Krishna Kumar
DUBAI: When British actress Jodie Turner-Smith stepped into the sleek, neon-lit world of 鈥淭ron: Ares,鈥 she wasn鈥檛 just joining an iconic sci-fi franchise 鈥 she was diving headfirst into a meditation on the intersection of technology and humanity.
In the latest installment, 鈥淭ron: Ares,鈥 Jared Leto plays Ares 鈥 a sophisticated digital program sent into the real world on a perilous mission. It鈥檚 humankind鈥檚 first encounter with artificial intelligence in the flesh and a test of what happens when code meets conscience.
Alongside Greta Lee鈥檚 Eve Kim 鈥 the ENCOM CEO searching for the elusive code written by software engineer Kevin Flynn (the protagonist of 1982鈥檚 鈥淭ron鈥) 鈥 Ares finds himself questioning not just his programming but his place in a world full of unpredictable humans.
At Ares鈥 side 鈥 and mostly at odds with him 鈥 stands Athena, his second-in-command, portrayed by Turner-Smith. Describing her character, the actress said, 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 always fun when a character represents more of the chaos. In her own way, Athena is the chaos that can come when nuance is unable to be interpreted. And that鈥檚 Athena鈥檚 struggle throughout the movie; interpreting nuance while she鈥檚 having this experience that is changing her.
鈥淚 think we made a really fun movie, and ultimately, I think that鈥檚 what we go to the cinema for: to have an experience,鈥 she continued. 鈥淚 love to go to watch movies for fun. 鈥楾ron: Ares鈥 really is event cinema. It鈥檚 so immersive and interesting.鈥
While 鈥淭ron: Ares鈥 promises the spectacle fans expect 鈥 breathtaking visuals, kinetic action, and a pulse-pounding soundtrack from industrial rockers Nine Inch Nails 鈥 Turner-Smith says it also leaves room for reflection. 鈥淚 want people to go away having a conversation,鈥 said the 39-year-old. 鈥淭here鈥檚 so much talk about the doom and gloom of artificial intelligence and all the bad things that can happen, but I want people to walk away from the film with the state of mind of Dr. Eve Kim, who is thinking, 鈥楬ow do we keep this technology human-centered? How do we use it to make the world a better place?鈥
鈥淥ur movie is not answering these questions, but it is sitting in the question, which I think is important for any film. It鈥檚 to make you think and to make you talk,鈥 she continued. 鈥淎nd hopefully there鈥檚 going to be a kid watching this movie who is a future programmer, who is the genius who is going to create a program like Ares that improves the world.鈥
Jodie Turner-Smith as Athena in 'Tron-Ares.' (Supplied)
Director Joachim Ronning says the film reflects his own ambivalence toward AI. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 a little bit of both,鈥 he said when asked if the movie envisions a utopia or a dystopia. 鈥淚 have mixed emotions about it. As a filmmaker and an artist, I guess I鈥檓 nervous 鈥 I hope that we can move forward carefully and with some guardrails to AI. But on the other hand, it could also help advance humanity and find solutions to things that we wouldn鈥檛 otherwise.鈥
For Turner-Smith, the emotional weight of 鈥淭ron: Ares鈥 was clear from the moment she read the script. 鈥淚t had heart, it had humor 鈥 it struck me how funny it was; I didn鈥檛 expect that 鈥 and it was cool, you know?鈥
Jared Leto (L) and Jodie Turner-Smith at the premiere of 'Tron-Ares' in Hollywood on Oct. 6. (AFP)
Working with Leto, she said, was an especially rewarding experience. 鈥淚 had a blast with him, really. He is a 鈥楾ron鈥 head. He鈥檚 a huge fan of this franchise. And you could feel how much he loved and cared about it.鈥
That energy, she added, was infectious. 鈥淗e was super-supportive of me, very encouraging. I loved doing our stuff together as Athena and Ares, I really did, but I wanted more. I feel like we didn鈥檛 have enough. I鈥檓 looking forward to 鈥楾ron 4鈥 when Athena returns.鈥
Vivienne Westwood to open Riyadh Fashion Week with debut Middle East show
Plan to promote Saudi traditions and designers, says CEO Carlo D鈥橝mario
Updated 09 October 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: British brand Vivienne Westwood is set to make its Middle East debut at Riyadh Fashion Week on Oct. 16.
The label will open the event with a show that blends British fashion heritage with 黑料社区 craftsmanship.
In a recent interview with WWD, the CEO of Vivienne Westwood, Carlo D鈥橝mario, outlined his plans.
鈥淲e are working on a special collection of embroidered gowns, a result of the union of the expertise of our couture team and the craftsmanship of local artisans 鈥 a concrete way to promote local traditions through an international perspective.鈥
This marks the first time Riyadh Fashion Week has opened its calendar to international labels.
Returning for its third edition from Oct. 16 to 21, the six-day event will feature more than 25 runway shows, 10 designer presentations, a curated showroom, and citywide activations.
Organized by the Saudi Fashion Commission, a part of the Ministry of Culture, the event will also spotlight emerging and established Saudi designers.
鈥楴iy奴 Y奴rk鈥 exhibition explores MENA influence on the Big Apple聽
Inside the first show dedicated to NYC鈥檚 Public Library鈥檚 Middle Eastern collections聽聽聽
Updated 09 October 2025
Jasmine Bager
RIYADH: Outside The New York Public Library鈥檚 Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the unmistakable scent of a halal food cart mingles with the sounds of various Arabic dialects, while two marble lions stand guard over Fifth Avenue. Inside, entire worlds are waiting to be discovered 鈥 including the often-overlooked stories of New York鈥檚 Middle Eastern and North African communities.
鈥淣iy奴 Y奴rk: Middle Eastern and North African Lives in the City,鈥 the first exhibition dedicated to the Library鈥檚 Middle Eastern collections, opened Oct. 4. It will remain on view in the Ispahani-Bartos Gallery until March 8.
Berenice Abbott鈥檚 photograph from the 1930s of Syrian-owned The Lebanon Restaurant and an Arabic record store next door on Washington Street in New York. (Courtesy of The New York Public Library)
Curated by Hiba Abid, the exhibition contains around 60 objects 鈥 photos, books, periodicals and audio 鈥 dating from the 1850s to 2024. It centers specifically on the library鈥檚 own holdings, rather than attempting to tell a comprehensive history of MENA life in New York, Abid tells Arab News.
Drawing from over a century of rare materials the exhibition uses tangible objects to express the intangible: memory, identity and immigrant culture.鈥
鈥淚t鈥檚 not a love letter. It鈥檚 a realistic letter,鈥 Abid says, adding that these communities have long navigated complex questions of belonging, language, and preservation.鈥
Curator Hiba Abid. (Supplied)
鈥淭he communities, from the very beginning, were wondering, 鈥榃here should our kids go to school? If they go to the public New York schools, they would probably lose their language, but we want them to still know Arabic and be aware of our traditions and values,鈥欌 she said.
The exhibition is divided into four chronological sections, designed to help guide visitors of all ages, from young children to seasoned scholars.
The first section, 鈥淩oads to New York,鈥 focuses on the earliest waves of immigration. One of the first featured figures is Hatchik Oscanyan 鈥 later known as Christopher Oscanyan 鈥 an Armenian man born in what is now T眉rkiye. He came to New York in the mid-19th century and sought to educate Americans about the complexity of the Ottoman Empire. He wrote plays and newspaper articles, as well as 鈥淭he Sultan and His People,鈥 a book that offers insight into the region鈥檚 diverse ethnic and religious makeup.
The second section, 鈥淎 Life in the City,鈥 explores how immigrant communities began to form and thrive in New York, including in what was once known as Little Syria on Manhattan鈥檚 Lower West Side 鈥 an area that still exists today. They were entrepreneurs who opened restaurants, shops, and began publishing Arabic newspapers.
Richard Kasbaum鈥檚 photograph of Moroccan impresario Hassan Ben Ali, who toured the States with a troupe of acrobats, dancers, musicians and actors. (Courtesy of The New York Public Library)
One of the most groundbreaking was Al-Hoda, founded by Naoum Antoun Mokarzel and his brother Salloum. 鈥淚n the basement of Al-Hoda Press, they adapted the linotype machine from Latin characters to Arabic characters, which is very hard (because Arabic is) a cursive language,鈥 Abid says. 鈥淏y this technological innovation, he actually allowed other presses to form and to publish newspapers, periodicals, and books,鈥 which then circulated throughout North and Latin America 鈥 and back to the Middle East.
In other words, New York was instrumental in literally building the Arabic press and exporting news to the Middle East.
Abid emphasizes how vital the library鈥檚 historical collections are to telling these stories.
鈥淭he library has been collecting these materials since the late 19th century,鈥 she says, adding that many of them have been digitized, enabling audiences to interact with them in a new way.
The third section, 鈥淚mpressions,鈥 flips the gaze, revealing how Middle Eastern immigrants perceived New York and the US.
鈥淢any immigrant groups embraced American values鈥 but many (Arabs) actually didn鈥檛 like New York and didn鈥檛 like American values and left after a few years here or after a few months.鈥 The exhibit highlights these ambivalences and the tensions of assimilation.
The final section, 鈥淚n Our Own Skin,鈥 is the most contemporary and, for Abid, the most personal. It includes raw, vulnerable stories that reflect racial identity, Islamophobia, and resistance. Among the most powerful pieces is the short documentary 鈥淚n My Own Skin,鈥 directed by Jennifer Jajeh and Nikki Byrd, which features interviews with five Arab women in New York, and was filmed just one month after the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
鈥淭he interviews are absolutely amazing. Every time I talk about it, I have goosebumps,鈥 Abid says. 鈥淭he way they talk about it 鈥 it is still very relevant today, as if nothing changed much, except that we鈥檙e probably more powerful because we are aware of this and we know how to organize and to fight back. We have the vocabulary now, and the community.鈥
That spirit of organization is embodied by Malikah, a grassroots collective founded by Rana Abdelhamid in 2010 as a self-defense class for Muslim women on Steinway Street in Queens. The movement has since expanded into a larger project of empowerment, healing, and solidarity 鈥 and is featured in the exhibit鈥檚 final section. The powerful sound of the athan, or call to prayer, has been important to this cultural shift.
While images of the Statue of Liberty 鈥 based on an Egyptian woman 鈥 didn鈥檛 make the cut, but Abid stresses its significance on each guided tour. On this occasion, though, she wanted to focus the visitors on lesser-known gems.
Having lived in New York for the past four years as a Tunisian immigrant who spent much of her life in France, Abid says she finds New York to be more diverse than anywhere else she has ever lived.鈥
鈥淚 live on Atlantic Avenue in the Syrian corner. The things I witnessed here and in Middle Eastern parts of New York, like Astoria, I could never see anywhere else 鈥 even Paris,鈥 she says. 鈥淲hen you go to the exhibition, you actually think, 鈥楧amn! We actually did a lot. And we鈥檙e here, you know鈥攚e鈥檙e here.
鈥淚t shows how New York was central to all of these struggles and how New York 鈥 thanks to its MENA community 鈥 was actually connected and aware. It puts New York on a global map, you know? I think New York is incredible terrain for this. It鈥檚 the space for it. That鈥檚 what this show is about, ultimately.鈥濃
Saudi hotels earn Michelin Keys as two Mideast properties nab special awards at Paris ceremony
Four hotels in 黑料社区 were awarded two Michelin Keys, while three Saudi hotels earned one Michelin Key status
La Mamounia in Morocco, Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet district and Atlantis The Royal in Dubai all earned three Michelin Keys
Updated 09 October 2025
Saffiya Ansari
PARIS: Known for awarding coveted stars to restaurants around the world, the Michelin Guide also operates the Michelin Key Selection recognizing hotels, the latest awardees of which were named at a gala event in Paris on Wednesday with two hotels from the MENA region scoring special awards and multiple Saudi hotels earning Keys.
The organizers handed out four prizes for excellence in specific areas, including an Architecture and Design Award, Wellness Award, Local Gateway Award 鈥 for hotels that offer guests immersive connections to their surroundings 鈥 and the year鈥檚 Best New Opening Award.
Nominations for the four awards were unveiled over the past few months, with hotels from the Middle East making the cut.
La Fiermontina Ocean, Morocco was nominated for the Local Gateway Award for its 鈥渁uthentic access to rural Moroccan life; Atlantis The Royal in Dubai was nominated for the Architecture and Design Award for its 鈥渟tacked geometry redefining Dubai鈥檚 skyline; and Shebara Resort in 黑料社区 was nominated in the same category for its 鈥渇uturistic chrome pearls camouflaged by the Red Sea.鈥
On Wednesday night, La Fiermontina Ocean in Morocco scored the Local Gateway Award and Atlantis The Royal in Dubai nabbed the Architecture and Design Award.
The year鈥檚 Best New Opening Award went to The Burman Hotel, Estonia, and the Wellness Award went to B眉rgenstock Resort Switzerland.
Introduced over the past year in 15 countries across North America, Europe and Asia, the awards ceremony for the first-ever global list took place at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in the French capital. In total, 2,457 hotels received one (1,742), two (572) or three (143) Keys across the globe.
In the one Michelin Key category, awardees from the Gulf region included Banyan Tree AlUla in 黑料社区; The St. Regis Red Sea Resort in 黑料社区; Waldorf Astoria Jeddah - Qasr Al-Sharq; ERTH Hotel in Abu Dhabi; Jumeirah Saadiyat Island; The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm; Fairmont, Amman; Four Seasons Hotel, Amman; The Ritz-Carlton, Amman; The St. Regis, Amman; Bratus Hotel in Aqaba, Jordan, Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya; The St. Regis, Kuwait; The Chedi, Muscat; Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman; Fairmont, Doha; Four Seasons, Doha; Mandarin Oriental; Doha; Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl in Doha; Rosewood Doha; Sharq Village & Spa, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Doha; The Ned Doha; Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers; Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island; Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island; Rosewood Abu Dhabi; Address Beach Resort; Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa; Armani Hotel Dubai; Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa; Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah, Dubai; ME Dubai by Melia; The Lana, Dorchester Collection; The St. Regis Downtown Dubai; Anantara Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort.
Meanwhile, 49 hotel properties in Morocco, Turkey and Egypt were awarded one Key status.
In the two Michelin Key category, awardees from 黑料社区 included Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve; Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea; Shebara Resort; and Desert Rock Resort.
Also awarded two Keys were La Fiermontina Ocean in Morocco; Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt; Royal Mansour Casablanca in Morocco; Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain; Alila Jabal Akhdar; Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl 鈥 Qatar; Raffles Doha; The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort; Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi; Bulgari Resort Dubai; Burj Al Arab Jumeirah; and One&Only The Palm Dubai.
Across the rest of the region, hotels that earned two keys included Al Moudira Hotel in Egypt; Amanjena in Morocco; Royal Mansour in Marrakech; The Oberoi, Marrakech; Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay in Morocco; The Peninsula Istanbul; Argos in Cappadocia; and Museum Hotel in Turkey.
La Mamounia in Morocco, Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet district and Atlantis The Royal in Dubai all earned three Michelin Keys.
The candidates were assessed by Michelin Guide inspectors based on five criteria: excellence in interior design and architecture; quality and consistency in service, comfort and maintenance; consistency between the level of experience and the price paid; uniqueness, personality and authenticity; and whether the hotel was a gateway to a destination.
Like Michelin stars, the keys are awarded in line with a three-tier system.
One key signifies 鈥渁 very special stay,鈥 according to the guide. This is awarded to properties that 鈥渕ay break the mold, offer something different, or simply be one of the best of its type. Service always goes the extra mile and provides significantly more than similarly priced establishments.鈥
Two keys are awarded to properties that provide 鈥渁n exceptional stay 鈥 where a memorable experience is always guaranteed.鈥 These hotels also boast 鈥渃haracter, personality and charm that鈥檚 operated with obvious pride and considerable care 鈥 eye-catching design or architecture and a real sense of the locale make this an exceptional place to stay.鈥
Three keys indicate an extraordinary stay, according to the guide.
鈥淚t鈥檚 all about astonishment and indulgence here 鈥 this is the ultimate in comfort and service, style and elegance. It is one of the world鈥檚 most remarkable and extraordinary hotels and a destination for that trip of a lifetime. All the elements of truly great hospitality are here to ensure any stay will live long in the memory and hearts of travelers.鈥
Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein steps out in Saudi design in Paris/node/2618189/lifestyle
Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein steps out in Saudi design in Paris
Updated 09 October 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein of Jordan showcased elegant royal style on Wednesday during her visit to France with her husband, Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah.
The couple are in Paris, where they met with French President Emmanuel Macron and first lady Brigitte Macron at the Elysee Palace.
The princess, who is of Saudi origins, stepped out wearing a design by Saudi designer Mona Al Shebil 鈥 the Crepe Collar Caped Buttoned Dress in black, featuring a structured collar.
She styled the look with Fendi mesh slingback pumps, a beige Bottega Veneta clutch, and Stephen Webster Thorn drop earrings paired with a matching necklace.
Following the crown prince鈥檚 visit to France, he is scheduled to travel to the UK, where he will hold meetings in London. He will meet with Prince William and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
