About QIFF

Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) is a multicultural festival that celebrates the country’s diverse food, beverage and hospitality offerings. Held over a period of a week to ten days in the spring, the Festival invites residents and visitors to enjoy special culinary experiences in scenic outdoor spaces.

QIFF forms part of Qatar National Tourism Council’s strategy to grow and diversify the country’s tourism offering, particularly in the areas of family and urban entertainment. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of partners in both the public and private sectors, it has grown since its first edition in 2010 to become one of the most-anticipated events in Qatar’s growing calendar of annual festivals and events.

This year QIFF celebrates its milestone 10^th Anniversary Edition.

Qatar International Food Festival 2019

Dates Wednesday, 20^th March – Saturday, 30^th March (11 days)

Opening Hours 3.00 pm – 11.00 pm on weekdays (Saturday – Wednesday)

3:00 pm – 1:00 am on weekends (Thursday & Friday)

Main Location Oxygen Park, Education City

Organised by Qatar National Tourism Council

Strategic Partner Qatar Foundation

Other Partners Qatar Airways, beIN, Vodafone, W Doha, Torba Farmer’s Market, Kidzania Doha, Aura Hospitality, Qatar-India Year of Culture, Akly, La Cantine, Talabat, Uber, Chargello Qatar, Wahab, The Cooking Academy, and Qatar TV.

Oxygen Park, Education City

• Festivities spread over entire area of Oxygen Park which covers 130,000-square metres
• 3 dedicated areas: O1 for main course specialties and centre stage;

O2 for kids-friendly foods and activities; and

O3 for cafes and light food along with private seating areas serving curated pre-set menus.

• 157 food and beverage outlets in total
• 23 local new and upcoming businesses

Price Range: QAR 5 – QAR 40

Daily Entertainment & Activities

• beIN stand to run “So you think you can cook” competition daily from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
• Kidzania Go booth in O2 with 4 activity zones including one zone dedicated to toddlers.
• Roaming shows and entertainment and cultural shows on stage
• Live music bands

Festival Ground Amenities & Facilities

• To reach the venue, visitors can enter Education City from gates 1,2,5 or 7:
• Gates 1 and 2 if you are coming from the direction of Mall of Qatar, Gharrafa or AlRayaan.
• Gate 5 if you are coming from the direction of Sidra Medical Hospital or Al Markhiya
• Gate 7 if you are coming from the direction of the Equestrian Federation or Old Rayan
• Underground parking with over 3,000 spaces
• Shuttle buses will be running every 8-10 minutes from various parking areas within Education City as well as from the QNCC parking lot
• Nearby mosque: Education City Mosque
• The venue is equipped with 8 restroom units
• Ramps for easier wheelchair and pram access are provided
• Torba, Qatar Foundation’s farmers market will be offering farm-to-table experiences daily throughout the festival
• Vodafone powered Wi-Fi hotspots will provide free high-speed internet to visitors
• Wahab food charity volunteers will collect untouched food at the end of the day, repackage it and distribute it to the less fortunate in and around Doha.

Chefs who participates

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

37 International celebrity chefs from 17 countries at this year’s cooking theater including:

8 Qatari chefs - 21 International chefs from abroad - 8 International chefs based in Qatar

1. Masaharu Morimoto (US Iron Chef - Japan)
2. Manal Al Alem (Celebrity chef, TV host & Author - Jordan)
3. Aisha Altamimi (Celebrity chef & food programme presenter - Qatar)
4. Noora Al Kuwari (Renowned Chef and Health Coach - Qatar)
5. Richard Sandoval (Acclaimed Chef, Global Restaurateur & Author - USA)
6. Jameela Allenqawi (Celebrity Chef & TV host- Kuwait)
7. Tasneem Al NasrAllah (Celebrity Chef - Kuwait)
8. Ranveer Brar (Chef, TV show host, judge and food stylist - India)
9. Noora Al Mazroui (Celebrity Chef - Qatar)
10. Eric Lanlard (Pâtissier and celebrity chef - France)
11. Al Yazi Al Awadh (Celebrity Chef - Kuwait)
12. Ameena Mussa (Celebrity Chef - Qatar)
13. Sarra Al Sayed (Owner & Founder of Bakeries and Consultancy - Qatar)
14. Hend Salah (Celebrity Chef - Qatar)
15. Siba Mtongana (Celebrity chef, TV show host and judge South Africa)
16. Goila Saranch (Chef and restaurateur - India)
17. Jenny Morris (celebrity chef and radio personality - South Africa)
18. Stephane Bucholzer (Executive Chef W Doha Hotel & residences - France)
19. Dominique Ansel (Celebrity pastry chef and restaurateur- France)
20. Salma Soliman (Chef & TV show host - Egypt)
21. Chef Belkhams (Celebrity Chef - Qatar)
22. Chef Hassan (Chef at We café - Qatar)
23. Elif Edes Tapan (Turkey)
24. Jason Atherton (UK)
25. Francesco Scala (Italy)
26. Shane Macneill (Ireland)
27. Rusly Ahmed (Sri Lanka)
28. Sam Ceviköz – (Barista trainer from Turkey)
29. Asma AlBahr – (Celebrity Chef - Kuwait)
30. Fawaz Al Amimi – (Celebrity Chef - Kuwait)
31. Nabil Asfar – (Celebrity Chef - Lebanon)
32. Mohit Kumar Trivedi – (Celebrity Chef - India)
33. Ankit Tiyagi – (Celebrity Chef - India)
34. Luis-Rey Nino – (Celebrity Chef - Philippines)
35. Surjan Singh – (Celebrity Chef - India)
36. Khalid Aboujassoum (Demonstration of Oliver Cooks machine – Canada)
37. Zarmig Haladjian– (Celebrity Chef – Lebanon)

In Doha & Around Qatar

QIFF Menu (1-31 March 2019)

• The festivities extend to more than 90 restaurants around Qatar throughout the month of March.
• They are offering special food groupings of a three-course menu of 3 different Set Menus available at discounted prices of: 45 QAR, 95 QAR and 125 QAR.

Chef’s Table

• 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.
• Limited spaces available; bookings can be made through the restaurant’s/ hotels’ reservation platforms.

Cooking Master Classes 20-29 March

Aspiring chefs can register to attend Masterclasses with celebrity chefs

School Activation for QIFF at Qatar National Library, Education City:

• – 18 March (8 am – 12 pm)

In partnership with Qatar Foundation, QIFF engaged school students in healthy nutrition workshops between 10-18 March at Qatar National Library with local Chefs Noora All Mazroui, Sarah Al Sayed, Warda Ibrahim and Coach Noora Al Kuwari, along with participation from Bedaya Centre and Baladna Farms.

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Leena Chung

Salam!

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