We've been waiting all year, but QIFF is finally here! Here at Qatar Living we're serious about our food, and we want you all to have as much fun as we're about to, so here's a quick guide to this year's festival.

1. The scale

QIFF is Qatar’s largest food festival, and this year it’s bigger than ever, with 177 participants in total (36% increase on 2017 festival). Since its first edition in 2010, QIFF has become one of the most-anticipated events in Qatar’s growing calendar of annual festivals.

The Festival lasts from Thursday, 15th March till Sunday, 25th March, and is mainly located at Hotel Park by The Sheraton Grand Resort & Convention Doha.

16 hotel participants will bring the best of culinary experiences at prices that do not exceed 40 QAR. 6 food trucks, a mini zoo and Torba, Qatar Foundation’s farmers market

Opening hours range from 4:00 pm – 12:00 midnight on weekdays (Saturday to Wednesday), and 4:00 pm – 1:00 am on weekends (Thursday and Friday).

Torba, Qatar Foundation’s farmers market, will be offering farm-to-table experiences. There will also be a special zone with 9 embassies representing 9 countries (Mexico, Ethiopia, India, Lebanon, Philippines, South Africa, USA, Vietnam & Turkey), offering festival-goers with food experiences from all corners of the world.

2. You can watch live cooking shows

QIFF’s centerpiece, the Live Cooking Theatre returns this year and will run daily food photography sessions and contests between 4:00 - 6:00 pm. And, between 6:00 - 10:30 pm guest chefs will share their tips and tricks with a special food theme for each day.

3. The QIFF Menu

The festivities will extend to more than 60 restaurants and cafes around Qatar. They will offer special food groupings of at least three menu items at a pre-set price of QAR 49 (cafes & restaurants) and QAR 99 (hotels).

The general price range at the festival is QAR 5 –  QAR 40.

4. You can register fo cooking classes with the world’s best chefs

Select 5-star restaurants across Doha are offering residents and visitors a unique opportunity to join internationally-acclaimed chefs for an interactive cooking and tasting experience.
Spaces limited to 10- 20 persons per class; bookings can be made through the restaurant’s/hotels’ reservation platforms. 

5. QIFF is food waste-free

Demonstrating its consideration for the community, QIFF organisers have signed up with Wahab food collection and distribution service for this year’s Festival.

The charity will ensure that festival goers can donate untouched food so it is carefully repackaged and delivered to those in need.

We hope you enjoy the food festival. Watch out for the awesome QL Team at QIFF 2018. For more info, visit www.qifoodfestival.qa.