Chef Kunal Kapur Presents The Saudi Table Preview Ahead of Public Opening in Gurgaon
The Saudi Tourism Authority’s consumer brand, Saudi, Welcome to Arabia, has concluded an exclusive preview of The Saudi Table—an immersive culinary residency curated by celebrated chef Kunal Kapur at One8 Commune, Golf Course Road. Envisioned as a cultural gateway into Saudi Arabia’s evolving food narrative, the preview evening brought together senior editors, food journalists, cultural commentators, creators and hospitality leaders, including Shivesh Bhatia, Niki Mehra Madan, Ashna Sharma, Chef Afshan, and several of Delhi-NCR’s most influential culinary and cultural voices.
Reflecting on the culinary collaboration, Chef Kunal Kapur said, “Saudi is a land of many wonders. From the coral reefs of the Red Sea to the snow-dusted peaks of Tabuk, every corner tells a story—of adventure, heritage and, most importantly, food passed down quietly like an heirloom across generations. In many ways, this is where India and Saudi meet, through a shared reverence for food, culture and tradition. India’s philosophy of ‘Atithi Devo Bhavah’ finds its mirror in the Saudi concept of ‘Hafawa’, a way of welcoming guests with unmatched warmth and generosity. The Saudi Table celebrates this connection, offering a spread that feels familiar, yet truly spectacular.”
Rooted in ingredient integrity and shaped by centuries of Indo–Arab exchange, the preview invited guests to experience Saudi cuisine in an unhurried, communal format that highlighted provenance, regional diversity and contemporary culinary expression. Eschewing theatrical presentation, the evening focused on context—tracing how ancient trade routes shaped flavour profiles, celebrating the continuity of home-style cooking, and showcasing a cuisine that is both deeply historic and confidently emerging on the global stage.
The experience began with a generous grazing table that reflected the essence of Saudi dining—dips, grains, greens and breads designed for sharing and conversation. Dishes such as kareef salad with pomegranate molasses, Hijazi-style tabbouleh, wild za’atar labneh, baba ganoush, roasted carrot and date salad, along with date-forward creations including Madinah date and almond bites and date-cardamom cake, offered a nuanced introduction to the region’s agricultural and culinary heritage.
A thoughtfully curated progression of small plates followed, spotlighting everyday Saudi cooking in its authentic form: aubergine-wrapped halloumi, cheese sambusas, blistered za’atar manakish, cottage cheese and chicken shawarma, lamb kawarma meatballs, stuffed chicken wings with dried fruit and wild rice, and Gulf-style shrimp brushed with harissa. The main courses—kabsa, mansaf lamb, saffron rice with seafood, seafood pilaf, and mushroom sheesh taouk with mujaddara—embodied the ceremonial abundance central to Saudi hospitality, emphasising aroma, technique and generosity. Desserts such as warm kunafa, rose-and-pistachio panna cotta and crisp baklava concluded the evening with the region’s signature restraint in sweetness.
Chef Kapur’s curation was widely noted for its discipline and fidelity to source. Rather than adapting Saudi dishes to suit a cosmopolitan palate, the menu honoured the cuisine’s core architecture—its reliance on spice rather than heat, its delicate balance of acidity and sweetness, its emphasis on texture over ornamentation, and its enduring culture of communal dining.
The preview also marked the introduction of Saudi Arabia’s new culinary-focused travel itineraries for the Indian market. Starting at ₹74,000, these experiences are designed for travellers who seek to understand destinations through food—how communities cook, shop, gather and celebrate. The itineraries are now available through Saudi’s trusted travel partners including EaseMyTrip, MakeMyTrip, Yatra, Akbar Travels, Riya Holidays and Atlas.
Each destination offers a distinct gastronomic lens. Jeddah follows the rhythm of a historic trading port, featuring dawn fish markets, Al-Balad’s heritage bakeries, iconic seafood institutions, Corniche evenings and optional Hijazi home-cooking experiences. Riyadh explores Najdi hospitality and modern capital culture through Diriyah’s restored heritage quarters, traditional souks, coffee rituals and a growing chef-driven dining scene, complemented by desert dinners beneath the Tuwaiq cliffs. AlUla, framed by oasis farms and dramatic sandstone formations, offers farm-to-table dining, Old Town walks, date markets, heritage cafés, stargazing feasts and chef-led experiences set against one of the region’s most striking landscapes.
Together, these journeys reinforce the central idea of The Saudi Table—that cuisine is among the most powerful cultural expressions, carrying memory, migration, landscape and identity in ways no single landmark ever can.
The Saudi Table is open to the public until 18 December 2025 at One8 Commune, Golf Course Road, offering diners across Delhi-NCR a rare opportunity to experience Saudi Arabia’s rich culinary traditions first-hand.
