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This review presents an integrated analysis of culinary innovation, heritage preservation, and sustainable development in the southern region of Saudi Arabia, encompassing Asir, Jazan, Al-Baha, and Najran. The purpose of this study is to synthesize multidisciplinary evidence on the region's traditional food systems, agricultural practices, and gastronomic transformations, identifying challenges, opportunities, and research gaps relevant to future development. The review draws on academic literature, institutional reports, and policy frameworks aligned with Vision 2030, emphasizing how heritage foods, local crops, and cultural practices are being adapted within evolving socio-economic and environmental contexts. Findings reveal that the region's culinary identity, anchored in dishes such as Heneeth, Aseeda, and Areeka, and the distinctive use of spices including cardamom, fenugreek, and turmeric, reflects centuries of environmental adaptation and intercultural exchange. Agricultural systems, notably terraced farming and Khawlani coffee cultivation, sustain biodiversity while offering pathways for sustainable food production and culinary tourism. Traditional festivals such as the Flower Men Festival and the Jazan Coffee Festival illustrate the economic and cultural potential of gastronomic tourism. Nonetheless, persistent challenges including recipe loss, globalization, climate variability, soil degradation, marketing limitations, and barriers to knowledge transfer require targeted interventions. The review highlights three strategic priorities: the systematic documentation of traditional recipes and ingredients, the integration of modern technologies (IoT, GIS, and climate-smart farming), and capacity-building for local chefs and artisans through the Culinary Arts Commission (CAC) and Culinary Innovation Labs (CILs). By aligning heritage preservation with sustainable innovation, the Southern Region can strengthen its position as a global model for culturally grounded gastronomic tourism, contributing to economic diversification, food security, and cultural continuity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Almansouri et al. (Fri,) studied this question.