Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — From 1 to 3 August 2025, the city of Samarkand will host the first-ever International “Samarkand Plov” Festival, aimed at promoting Uzbek cuisine and strengthening cultural ties, according to the Dunyo news agency.

The centerpiece of the festival will be the iconic Samarkand-style plov, presented in the form of a large-scale culinary show.

The highlight of the event will take place on 3 August at the “Eternal City” tourist complex, where more than 200 chefs will prepare 7 tonnes of plov — an ambitious effort that aims to set a record.

The festival program includes:

• 1 August — Official opening at the mausoleum of Sulton Khovand Beka (Ashrathona), culinary competitions, and local recipe presentations.
• 2 August — International Day on Alisher Navoi Street featuring foreign chefs, masterclasses, and tasting sessions.
• 3 August — Culinary record attempt and a charity event.

Throughout the three-day festival, visitors will enjoy artisan fairs, exhibitions of oriental sweets, as well as a vibrant cultural and concert program. The plov prepared for the record will be distributed to orphanages, nursing homes, and shelters.

Organizers emphasize that the festival is expected to become a gastronomic brand of Uzbekistan and a new hallmark of Samarkand.