École Ducasse to lead culinary talent transformation in KSA through landmark Sommet Education-Tanmeya Capital partnership at TOURISE 2025
Under the patronage of His Excellency Ahmed bin Aqil Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, the launch of a landmark Saudi–Swiss partnership during the TOURISE 2025 Summit has set the stage for a new era of innovation and talent development in the Kingdom’s tourism and hospitality sectors. As part of this initiative, Sommet Education — parent company of globally renowned institutions Les Roches, École Ducasse, and Glion — outlined its vision for shaping the future of Saudi culinary and hospitality education.
In an interview held on the sidelines of the summit, École Ducasse leadership emphasized the school’s commitment to integrating Saudi flavors, empowering local talent, and promoting sustainable culinary practices as it prepares to establish academies and training centers across the Kingdom through Tanmeya Capital’s Hospitality & Tourism Fund (THTF).
Karine Hyon-Vintrou, Managing Director, École Ducasse, affirmed that Saudi ingredients and culinary heritage will play a central role in its training programs. Built on renowned French chef Alain Ducasse’s philosophy of continuous learning and exploration, the school plans to adapt classical French techniques to local produce and flavors.
“Chef Ducasse travels the world to understand local ingredients and integrate them into his cuisine. We will do the same in Saudi Arabia,” Ms. Hyon-Vintrou explained. Examples include reimagining classic desserts using local fruits and incorporating regional spices such as cardamom into recipes. “Our goal is to understand the local ecosystem and blend traditional Saudi flavors with the excellence of French cuisine.”
Addressing the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding hospitality sector — which requires an estimated 1.6 million talents by 2030 — École Ducasse plans to forge strong partnerships with Saudi restaurants, hotels, and culinary establishments.
“Globally, we build employer networks to match industry needs with student skills. We will replicate this model in Saudi Arabia through collaborations with restaurateurs, ateliers, and our extensive alumni and employer network,” Karine Hyon-Vintrou said.
Empowering Saudi Female Chefs
École Ducasse underscored its commitment to gender inclusivity, noting that its French campuses already maintain a balanced gender ratio.
“Many of our most successful pastry chefs are women. We want to ensure Saudi women receive the same opportunities,” Ms. Hyon-Vintrou said. Career pathways include entrepreneurship, catering, luxury hotels, and boutique pastry ventures — all areas where women are increasingly excelling.
International Exchange and Global Exposure
Saudi students enrolled in École Ducasse programs will gain access to international internships and exchange opportunities, reinforcing both technical expertise and cultural understanding.
“Soft skills such as open-mindedness and curiosity develop when students experience new countries. They return with fresh techniques and perspectives that enrich Saudi Arabia’s evolving culinary scene,” she added.
Sustainability and Local Sourcing at the Core
Sustainability will be a defining principle of the new culinary ecosystem. Chef Alain Ducasse’s philosophy of naturalité — emphasizing plant-forward cuisine and minimal use of animal protein — will guide training programs in the Kingdom.
“We’ll work closely with local producers and suppliers to encourage cooking with seasonal and local ingredients while promoting responsible consumption of fish and meat,” she said.
The Saudi–Swiss partnership between Sommet Education and Tanmeya Capital under the SAR 600 million Tanmeya Hospitality & Tourism Fund, aims to establish a comprehensive, world-class education and training ecosystem in hospitality and culinary arts. The first campus is scheduled to open in 2026, with an initial focus on vocational training, identified as the most urgent need for supporting the Kingdom’s mega-projects. By integrating global expertise with Saudi culture and talent, the initiative is poised to position the Kingdom as a regional hub for excellence in hospitality education — and a rising force in the global culinary landscape.
