Zira Fest 2025 Heats Up Tashkent as Central Asia’s Culinary Capital

From September 30 to October 2, Zira Fest 2025 transformed Uzbekistan's UzExpoCenter into a vibrant showcase of food innovation and cultural exchange, establishing itself as one of Central Asia’s leading culinary festivals.

The international event brought together more than 100 companies and renowned global food brands, offering a dynamic platform for business networking, knowledge sharing, and market development in the food and beverage industry, The Caspian Post informs via Uzbek media.

A lively gastronomic fair, featuring 30 to 50 market stalls, provided visitors with a rich sampling of both local specialties and international flavors, while an outdoor food truck zone delivered street food from around the world, attracting crowds of food enthusiasts.

The festival’s agenda included interactive cooking masterclasses led by acclaimed chefs from Italy and CIS countries, alongside live concerts and entertainment shows, creating a festive atmosphere that blended cuisine with culture.

One of the standout participants, UzRice, an Uzbek agro-cluster, presented a wide selection of products-from traditional brown, round-grain, and basmati rice to over 18 varieties of cereals and legumes.

“Zira Fest gave us a fantastic opportunity to showcase our products to a wide audience, strengthen business ties, and gain direct consumer feedback,” said Ibrahim Muratov, founder of UzRice. “We’ve already secured new agreements, including with regional partners we hadn’t worked with before.”

The festival underscored growing interest in eco-friendly, high-quality local foods, while reinforcing Uzbekistan’s position as a rising hub for gastronomic tourism and international cooperation in food, agriculture, and hospitality.

Organizers hailed the success of Zira Fest 2025 as a sign of the region’s expanding culinary influence and commitment to promoting sustainable food practices through cross-border collaboration.