Qatar International Food Festival 2018 will open on March 15 and continue for 11 days at Hotel Park. The number of participants has grown by 36% to reach 177 stalls, food trucks and trolleys, extending over the full 80,000 metres squared of the park grounds. As the country's only international food festival, QIFF 2018 brings culinary and cultural experiences from all corners of the globe to Qatar's residents and visitors.

QIFF is the second country-wide festival of 2018, and follows on from Shop Qatar, which witnessed a 40% increase in sales based on the total number of coupons entered into raffle draws over the month-long festival.

As the country's food value chain rapidly develops, the Festival is shedding a bright spotlight on the role of local farms, farmers' markets and Qatari-owned F&B entrepreneurs in bringing food from gate to plate.

All four corners of the world

And in celebration of the unique mix of cultures that Qatar is home to, 9 international embassies based in Doha will be inviting festival-goers to savour the flavours of East and West. The participating countries are the USA, South Africa, Vietnam, the Philippines, Turkey, Lebanon, Mexico, India and Ethiopia.

Special Festival Experiences

Festival favourites are back this year such as the signature Live Cooking Theater with participation from internationally renowned chefs such as US MasterChef Christine Ha, Qatar's very own Aisha AlTamimi, Kuwaiti cook Fawaz AlOmaim, Indian celebrity chef Ajay Chopra, Lebanese celebrity chef Ramzi Choueiri, and the Michellin Star chef who has been preparing the post-Oscars feast for 24 years, Wolfgang Puck. They, along with others will be sharing their culinary delights from 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm daily with a different theme for each day.

Also back this year, is the Health Zone which encourages conscious eating habits and life choices that promote overall well-being. There will also be free fitness classes regularly held throughout QIFF allowing festival-goers to get their blood pumping while enjoying the outdoor festivities at Hotel Park.

This year, QIFF is also shedding a spotlight on locally-owned coffee shops which have become contemporary symbols of cultural and social exchange. The dedicated Coffee Zone which will give coffee lovers a chance to immerse themselves in the bean's rich aromas and flavours.

Exciting Entertainment

Adding to the festive atmosphere at Hotel Park, the main festival stage will host 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 at 8:00 pm.

Family Fun

This year, QIFF has expanded the children's area to include a mini zoo and farmer's market, providing parents and children an opportunity to learn more about our food's journey from farm to fork. Children will be provided with sports classes as well as creative activities courtesy of Café Ceramique.

In Doha & Around Qatar

QIFF returns with new concepts that take QIFF beyond the festival grounds offering an array of delightful culinary experiences all around the country.

Bringing QIFF to restaurants and cafes across Qatar, festival organisers are once again offering the QIFF Menu from 1-31 March. The QIFF Menu allows residents and visitors to enjoy mouth-watering food groupings of three menu items at a pre-set price of QAR 49 at stand-alone cafes and restaurants; and QAR 99 at hotels.

Event Details

Dates: Thursday, 15th March - Sunday, 25th March

Opening Hours: 4.00 p.m. - 12.00 midnight on weekdays (Saturday - Wednesday)

4:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. pm on weekends (Thursday & Friday)

Main Location: Hotel Park

Organised by: Qatar Tourism Authority

Strategic Partner: Katara Hospitality

Other Partners: Msheireb Museums, Doha Film Institute, beIN, Qatar Culinary

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Khadiza Begum

Content Writer

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