The eighth edition of the Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) will aim to focus more on cultural diversity and home-grown culinary talent from March 29 to April 8.

The 11-day festival has grown more attractive, with a 20% increase in the number of participants compared to the previous year.

The scenic Hotel Park, overlooking the Doha Corniche, will be the main festival venue this year. It carries four levels of underground parking with over 2,500 spaces that makes the venue ideal for large gatherings of food lovers.

This year’s festival will stand out thanks to the participation of a number of local businesses and entrepreneurs.

Food from all four corners of the world

Thanks to international embassies based in Doha, festival-goers can savour the flavours of the West and East at the Cultural Zone. It will host stalls from numerous countries. Participating countries include Germany, South Africa, and Ethiopia. There will also be live entertainment shows to celebrate the unique mix of culture that Qatar is home to.

Special Festival Experiences

Some common festival attractions, like food trucks and the signature Live Cooking Theater, will be back in action. Also featured this year is the high tea and fine dining pavilion that overlooks the Gulf waters.

For slightly more breezy and elevated vistas of Doha, visitors can enjoy Dinner in the Sky.

New additions include the garden picnic where families can collect a basket and blanket to enjoy a casual meal on the grass in the pleasant outdoors.

Exciting Entertainment

Adding to the festive atmosphere at Hotel Park, there will be stages set up for a variety of live performances and cultural shows running throughout the day. In the evenings, fireworks displays will light up the sky above the Doha corniche.

Movie-lovers can enjoy outdoor screenings courtesy of festival partners DFI and QF. Foodie movies like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, as well as select local and international productions, will be shown. Screenings will be held daily from 9 to 10pm.

Family Fun & Children’s Edutainment

In addition to a designated children’s food zone, there will also be child-friendly edutainment in the form of daily screenings of Siraj, Qatar Foundation's new 3D animation 'edutainment' TV series. QIFF Partner, Jeem TV will also be screening its Baraem shows throughout the Festival.

Book worms can explore a more virtual world of food through the QIFF library which will be stocked with cook books and food-related literature.

In Doha & Around Qatar

QIFF will go beyond festival grounds and offer an array of delightful culinary experiences all around the country.

Bringing QIFF to restaurants and cafes across Qatar, festival organisers have introduced the new QIFF Menu. The Menu, offered from March 23 to April 8, will allow residents and visitors to enjoy mouth-watering food groupings of at least three menu items at a pre-set price of QR59, QR99, QR139 or QR179.

Select five-star hotels are offering residents and visitors an opportunity to join internationally-acclaimed chefs for an interactive cooking and dining experience through the Chef’s Tables.

The Community Side of Food

Demonstrating its consideration for the community, QIFF organisers have once again signed up with Eid Charity’s food collection and distribution service for this year’s Festival. The Charity will ensure that any of the festival’s unsold and untouched food is collected daily, carefully repackaged and given to those in need.

Easy Access to Hotel Park

Careem will provide QIFF-goers with an affordable option to reach the Hotel Park. Throughout the festival, registered users can use the promocode FOOD and select QIFF as the drop off and enjoy the ride for only QAR15.

You may also use the promocode QATARLIVING to get 20% off on two rides. More details here.

(You can sign up and book through their website or download Careem's mobile app for iPhone, Android, Windows or Blackberry.)

Parking

Hotel Park also carries four levels of underground parking with over 2,500 spaces that makes the venue easily accessible for thousands of visitors to enjoy the festival with ease and comfort.

Are you looking forward to visit QIFF 2017?