Salalah to Host Seven International and Omani Culinary Evenings at Al Baleed Culinary Festival 2026, with Prices Starting at OMR 25

The fifth edition opens on November 7, featuring chefs associated with Michelin-recognised restaurants and culinary experiences celebrating Omani and international flavours through November 28.

Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara is preparing to host the fifth edition of the Al Baleed Culinary Festival 2026, running from November 7 to 28, with a programme featuring seven exclusive dining evenings and artisanal pastry experiences led by international chefs and Omani culinary talents. Supported by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Dhofar Municipality and Amouage, the festival highlights culinary tourism and Oman's rich gastronomic heritage. This year's event also coincides with the resort's tenth anniversary.

The programme opens on November 7 with an Omani dining experience featuring Chef Ammar Al Harthi and Chef Khulood Abdullah Jamaan Khazana, accompanied by traditional performances celebrating Dhofar's cultural heritage. On November 12 and 13, Chef Frankie Wong, recipient of the Michelin Guide's Young Chef Award in 2025, will present two dining experiences combining French culinary techniques with Asian flavours.

Chef Marco van Routen will host two special evenings on November 19 and 20, while Turkish Chef Osman Sezener, founder of the Michelin-starred and Michelin Green Star-awarded OD Urla restaurant, will present an Aegean-inspired dining experience on November 24.

The festival will also feature an artisanal pastry experience led by Chef Noel Katis from November 25 to 28, incorporating ingredients and flavours inspired by Omani cuisine.On November 27, Chef Mohammed Al Balushi from Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar and Chef Reem Al Rahbi from Tivoli La Vie Muscat will collaborate on a special dinner highlighting traditional Omani dishes.

Prices for the dining evenings range from OMR 25 to OMR 40 per person, excluding beverages, while the artisanal pastry experience costs OMR 15 per cake stand.

The festival introduces a distinctive tourism offering through bookable dining experiences that combine international culinary expertise with local food traditions. It also provides Omani chefs with an opportunity to showcase their talents alongside internationally recognised culinary professionals, highlighting local ingredients  as an essential part of the destination's identity.

Such experiences could help diversify the activities available to visitors in Salalah during November, beyond the city's traditional Khareef tourism season. However, assessing the festival's actual impact on tourism arrivals and hotel occupancy will require confirmed booking figures and attendance data, which have not yet been released.