In a celebration of culinary arts, the Embassy of Denmark in Riyadh hosted 'an evening of Danish flavors with a Saudi twist' on Wednesday, emphasizing the country’s gastronomic contributions from traditional cheeses to artisanal chocolates.

Liselotte Plesner, Denmark’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, expressed gratitude to several dignitaries, including Jacob Jensen, the Danish Minister for Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries, who is currently visiting Saudi Arabia.

Plesner also acknowledged the Danish Agriculture and Food Council and the accompanying business delegation, as well as Food Nation Denmark, for their roles in the event.

The gathering marks the third celebration of Danish gastronomy organized by the embassy in the last two decades.

Ambassador Plesner remarked on the significant transformation of Danish cuisine since her childhood when traditional options were scarce, stating, 'When I was young, finding a restaurant serving Danish food in Denmark was near to impossible.' She referenced the emergence of diverse culinary styles in Denmark, contrasting it with the limited availability of local cuisine at the time.

In 2004, a key moment occurred when a cohort of chefs and food enthusiasts formulated the New Nordic Cuisine Manifesto, which established principles aimed at revolutionizing the culinary landscape with an emphasis on local and sustainable ingredients.

Plesner highlighted the international acclaim achieved by Danish restaurants since this movement began, noting that Noma has been awarded the top position in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list five times and earned its third Michelin star in 2021. The following year, another Danish establishment, Geranium, claimed the title of best restaurant in the world, showcasing Denmark's emergence as a leading food nation.

The event aimed to provide culinary inspiration to Saudi Arabia as it seeks to enhance its tourist offerings and delight potential visitors with diverse dishes.

A significant component of the evening was focused on cheese, featuring a buffet curated by cheese expert Rasmus Holmgard, who presented 12 different varieties of Danish cheese.

Additionally, Sana, a Saudi cheesemaker specializing in burrata, contributed a local flavor to the evening's culinary offerings.

Minister Jacob Jensen emphasized the importance of cultural exchange through food, stating, 'I have been here for a day and I am full of impressions already.

This evening we have gathered not only to taste the flavor of Denmark, but also to explore how culinary traditions can inspire innovation and build bridges between nations.' He asserted Denmark's pride in being recognized globally for high-quality, safe, and sustainable food production.

Jensen further noted, 'Denmark’s contribution to the world of food goes far beyond gastronomy.

We have major exports of advanced machinery and know-how solutions that enable efficiency and sustainable food production worldwide.'