Qatar International Food Festival - EVERYTHING you need to know!
Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and Qatar Airways (QA), co-organisers of the Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) 2015, held a joint press conference to announce the activities of the sixth edition of this much-anticipated festival.
The #QIFF2015 will take place at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park from Tuesday 24th March until Saturday 28th March, and QatarLiving.com is proud to be an official Media Partner.
Since 2010 the food festival has been presenting a world food journey for both local and international visitors.
It has been a shared celebration of socio-cultural heritage, with a respect for global food cultures.
This year the event has been extended to five days and visitors have been promised bigger and better attractions which will help to boost regional tourism.
Hailing it "a milestone in the agenda of tourism activities in Qatar and the region", Rasheed Al Qurese (Chief Marketing and Promotions Officer at QTA) emphasised the festival’s progression from a local to regional audience.
He stressed that it was part of a long term strategy to provide a footprint to make Qatar a ‘world-class hub’, with an emphasis upon its deep cultural roots.
He emphasised the value for money gained from live entertainment and food prices capped at QR 40, including the menus presented by the city’s five-star hotels and local restaurants.
Salam Al Shawa, Senior Vice President Marketing & Corporate Communications, discussed the pride of Qatar Airways in hosting the popular ‘Dinner in the Sky’ attraction and looked forward ‘to offering our guests the same five-star service that they have come to expect from us during this fun event’.
The attraction will provide a taste of five-star business class airline service including a ‘Business Lounge’ for guests to enjoy Arabic coffee, date and canapés made by Chef Vineet Bhatia and Chef Nobu.
The set-menu offers a choice of a main course and finishes with Laduree pastries and Valrhona chocolates.
QIFF’s 2015 Chefs were invited to make dishes for the audience in an example of the live-cooking that will make a return for this year’s festival.
Chef Vineet Bhatia prepared a light couscous salad with spiced prawns and a special zingy rocket sauce. Chef Aisha Al-Tamimi showcased Qatari cuisine with a delicious date and nut dish. And Chef Baran Yucel made a famous Turkish dish, Gavurdoigi Salad, which had a hit of sour from the use of pomegranate molasses.
What’s Planned?
Stage Zone – There will be a main stage area with lots of entertainment on offer including Aran and Oud Shows, drummers, break dancers and a chef orchestra.
Qatar-Turkey Year of Culture 2015 Zone – This will provide a platform for both Turkish and Qatari cuisines.
Qatar Airways Live Cooking Theater – There will be seating for 100 guests, and LED screens helping to show the culinary concoctions being made by celebrity chefs. Most impressively there will be a fully functioning kitchen at the back with professional high quality kitchen equipment being utilised.
International Zone – This will host food cuisines from all over the word including Italy, Lebanon, China and Turkey.
Health Zone – As always there is going to be a focus on healthy eating with a project from Weil Cornell College in Qatar, and local organic food from Al Safwa farm.
High Tea Lounge – Presented by Kempinski’s Marsa Malaz, there will be a double-deck tent with food stalls on the first floor and premium teas available on the first-floor tea lounge.
Water Zone – the Diplomatic Club’s successful attractions of Dinner on the Dhow and BBQ Donut will be back this year.
Instagram Market Zone – This will hold stalls of local Qatari chefs who are active on the social media site and will, it is hoped, encourage Instagram users to discuss QIFF 2015.
Entry:
Entry to the venue is free and open to all. Some attractions have a cost whilst food stall prices will range from QR 5 to QR 40.
Opening Hours:
March 24: 5:00pm – 10:30pm
March 25 – 28: 1:30pm – 10:30pm
Parking
Parking will not be available at MIA or MIA Park during the Qatar International Food Festival. Public parking will be made available in alternate locations - please see the diagram below.
Free shuttle buses will carry festival goers from the designated parking areas to the festival grounds.
The Chefs:
Chef Vineet Bhatia – has a global restaurant presence and is the only Indian chef to hold two Michelin stars;
Chef Massimo – an internationally renowned TV chef celebrity, with restaurant ‘Soprafino’ at HIA;
Chef Aisha Al-Tamimi – the well-loved Qatari chef will display Qatari cuisine to its best;
Chef Afif Baran Yucel – Head Chef at Doha’s Sukar Pasha Ottoman Lounge;
Chef Deema Hajjawi – Phillips Middle East brand ambassador and food host on Abu Dhabi TV with ‘Matloob Chef’.
Fatafeat, the pan-Arabian broadcaster, will also have its Master Chefs at the event on Thursday 24th:Chef Salma Soleiman (Egypt) – a self-taught chef who is known for her fusion Tunisian-Egyptian cuisine. Chef Daad Abu Jabber (Jordan) – passionate Jordanian chef who compiled her first cookbook through her own travels and research.
Highlights
World-class gourmet food at low prices.
Special Professional Chef Session planned for real chefs to learn and develop.
Chef Vineet Bhatia (mushroom and rice fritters) and Chef Nobu (black cod with miso) canapes!
‘Guinness World Record’ attempt in making the biggest Margooga dish in the world!
Firework shows are planned every evening at 8.30pm!
Check out QIFF 2015: ‘A Different Side of Food’ for more pictures and information.
