Paris celebrates Morocco’s cuisine in a feast of flavour and culture

PARIS – Morocco’s vibrant culinary traditions, contemporary creativity and rich artistic heritage will take centre stage in Paris this autumn as the French capital’s acclaimed Food Temple festival celebrates the kingdom in a three-day cultural and gastronomic showcase.

Running from September 18 to 20 at Le Carreau du Temple, the festival’s 10th anniversary edition will transform one of Paris’ leading cultural venues into a celebration of Moroccan cuisine, craftsmanship, music and design, offering visitors an immersive journey that blends centuries-old traditions with a modern creative spirit.

After previous editions dedicated to countries including Colombia, Australia and Brazil, organisers have chosen Morocco as this year’s guest of honour, placing one of the Mediterranean’s richest culinary cultures firmly in the spotlight.

The festival will open with an “electro-gourmet” evening combining Moroccan-inspired cuisine with live electronic music, creating what organisers describe as a contemporary portrait of Morocco where gastronomy and music meet.

Throughout the weekend, visitors will be able to sample both iconic Moroccan dishes and innovative reinterpretations through a series of pop-up restaurants and a traditional tea salon. Cooking workshops and masterclasses led by Moroccan chefs will offer hands-on introductions to classics such as pastilla, tagine and couscous, while also exploring the country’s evolving contemporary cuisine.

Food Temple’s anniversary edition has been entrusted to two of Morocco’s best-known culinary ambassadors, Fatema Hal and Abdel Alaoui, who will serve as patron and co-patron of the event.

Beyond the kitchens, the festival will host a Moroccan market bringing together producers, artisans and booksellers. Visitors will be able to browse spices, argan oil, sweet and savoury delicacies, handcrafted decorative objects and books celebrating Moroccan culture and gastronomy.

The programme extends well beyond food. Photography exhibitions, concerts and DJ sets will showcase Morocco’s diverse artistic scene, presenting a country rooted in tradition while embracing contemporary cultural expression.

The opening night will feature performances by Retro Cassetta, SAMIFATI & Transe Gnawa Express, and Francis Latombe, while the weekend programme includes concerts by internationally-acclaimed Moroccan singer OUM, whose music blends jazz, soul and traditional influences, alongside Gaouta, known for fusing new wave and post-punk sounds.

Organisers say the festival aims to celebrate Morocco not simply through its cuisine but through the broader cultural landscape that shapes it, creating an experience where food, music, craftsmanship and storytelling intersect.

This year’s edition also forms part of the Mediterranean Season, a wider programme designed to strengthen cultural exchanges between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean through artistic collaboration and public events.

Over the past decade, Food Temple has established itself as one of Paris’ flagship culinary festivals, bringing together chefs, artisans, musicians and food lovers from around the world. By dedicating its anniversary edition to Morocco, organisers hope to offer visitors not only a taste of the kingdom’s celebrated cuisine but a deeper encounter with a culture whose influence stretches far beyond the dining table.