The Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) is back with a bang and this year's event is bigger and better than ever before. In its 11th successful year, QIFF is Qatar's longest-running food and beverage festival and this year's event is taking place in the lush green Al Bidda Park and along the Corniche with the gorgeous Doha skyline providing the backdrop to this happening festival.
For the first time in its history, QIFF will run for three weeks:
The event will combine culinary arts from over 140 vendors with a range of activations, plenty of family entertainment for visitors of all ages, and a whole lot more!
Scroll down and read about what's different at this year's Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF).
Since QIFF is all about food, you'll find plenty of delicious food from around the world and from the different eating places in Qatar. There are food huts spread around Al Bidda Park and food trucks at the Corniche all waiting to serve you up some delicious food.
You'll find Mexican, Indian, Thai, Malaysian, Japanese, Qatari, Italian, Filipino food, desserts, coffees, cold beverages and so much more when you're at QIFF. There's lots to choose from, and you'll be spoilt for choice deciding what to eat and what to drink.
If you're vegan or vegetarian and wondering what you can eat at QIFF, you'll find enough options to satisfy your hunger. You'll find Evergreen Organics, Green and Go, Mylk, Nosh Cravings, and more places where you can enjoy some of the finest vegan food in Qatar.
Have you ever had coffee from one of Qatar's well-known coffee places on a dhow floating on the water with the scenic Doha skyline as your view? Well, this year QIFF is serving coffee on a floating cafe; it's a lovely experience, and one worth trying out.
A number of local and regional artists will be performing live during the food festival. These include Faraway Martin, Music Vending Machine, 11 Strings, Harget Kart, Pablo Discobar, Hadis, Soul Brother, REJAM, AFCENT Band and Charlie Porter Quintet.
Chairs and tables have been set around the stage so you can sit, eat, relax and listen to some great foot-tapping music and sway to the beat!
Al Bidda Park: Al Bidda Park has five themed zones - QIFF Avenue, Oasis, Pier, Urban, Market and Garden. There is also a Qatari Corner zone so visitors can experience the unique traditions of Qatar.
Corniche: The Corniche Street has one zone - QIFF Avenue.
QIFF has set up a stage for a Cooking Theatre that will have, at least, two demonstrations, events and competitions every day. Some of the celebrity chefs featured include Dani García, Aisha Al Tamimi, Shams Al-Qassabi, William Dissen, Saif Rahman, Hervé Courtot, Hassan Al Ibrahim, Grenal Godinho, Aleksandre Ugrekhelidze, Arturo Mendez, Roberto Reatini, Aaj Fernando, Sergio Galaz, Hari Wahyudin and Santiago Guerrero.
Quite the line-up, don’t you think?
QIFF Cooking Theatre timings: 4 pm - 10:30 pm with 2+ demonstrations, events, and/or competitions per day.
Have you missed the fireworks at the Doha Corniche that light up the night sky with different colours and hues? Well, you're in for a surprise! For as long as QIFF is running, there will be an awesome fireworks display! Details below:
*We highly recommend you check Qatar Calendar's Instagram account before making any plans.
The Doha Lights Festival is running alongside QIFF (until 19 December) and it's a visual treat for everyone who visits the event from Al Masrah Park to the Pearl Monument on the Corniche.
You'll be treated to eight different interactive installations that include a musical water show and the largest ever monumental LED installation in Qatar.
There’s plenty to do at QIFF other than enjoy the great food on offer. You’ll find carnival-type games at Al Bidda Park and also on the Corniche where you can win some cute and cuddly prizes, too.
There’s a trampoline area where the kids can jump around and have a good time, and since QIFF is taking place at Al Bidda Park, the parks own play areas are quite the treat for the kids who can play and build up their appetite. You'll also get the chance to play mini-golf at the venue and enjoy the roaming entertainment!
There’s a cool digital recipe wall that’s been set up at the venue where you can scan a QR code to access a web page app so you can share some of your favourite recipes on it.
At the Chef’s Table, you can sit and eat with the renowned chef who has prepared your meal. Chef Ho Yiek Chung from Hakkasan, Chef Roberto Apa from Scalini, Chef Grenal Godinho from Riyasat Doha or Chef Somporn from Isaan will cook for you, depending on what you are looking forward to eating, and the chef from the restaurant you choose will sit and eat with you.
For more details and to make a booking at the Chef’s Table, please contact the restaurants directly.
The most convenient way to get to QIFF is using the Doha Metro. You can use the metro and exit at the Al Bidda Metro Station which is connected by both the Red and the Green lines. Starting 30 November 2021, the Doha Metro will run till 3 am (up until 17 December 2021).
If you come by car (which is not recommended), there is limited parking space for cars at the Al Bidda Park Car Park no. 5.
Note: Qatar Tourism follows the Ministry of Public Health’s (MOPH) hygiene and safety guidelines to ensure visitors enjoy a safe experience at its events and festivals.
Source: Qatar Calendar; Qatar Tourism
Cover image credit: Qatar Calendar
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