California cements status as global culinary leader in Dubai

The Golden State shared its culinary story with the world at the recent Taste of California event in Dubai, offering a dynamic platform to spotlight California’s globally celebrated culinary scene. Designed to foster collaboration between the food, travel and media sectors, the event drew more than 190 high-level attendees, including 88 travel trade professionals, 78 representatives from California’s food industry, and 25 key media and influencer figures.

Attendees were treated to immersive branding experiences and interactive tasting stations that brought the essence of California’s farm-to-table culture to life. The event highlighted the state’s deep agricultural heritage, strong commitment to sustainability and culinary innovation — all hallmarks of California’s identity as a premier food and travel destination.

Strategically blending food and tourism, Taste of California opened the door for meaningful industry connections. California food exporters met directly with high-value buyers from the Middle East, strengthening trade ties and creating new business opportunities across international markets.

Media and influencer engagement played a pivotal role in the event’s success, generating extensive press coverage and driving digital buzz. Real-time social media activations amplified California’s presence, allowing the event’s reach to extend well beyond the venue.

By combining compelling culinary storytelling with hands-on experiences, the Taste of California event not only deepened global industry relationships but also reinforced California’s position as a world leader in food and wine tourism.