More than 75 outlets comprising top hotels, eateries and restaurants, that are operating in Qtar and the region, will be offering an array of delicacies featuring Arabic, Asian, Mexican as well as European treats to residents over the next three days at the third Qatar Tourism Authority’s annual “Taste and Fun Food Festival” , which began yesterday. The event, which was jointly inaugurated by the QTA chairman Ahmed al-Naimi and Japanese Ambassador to Qatar Kenjiro Monji, is seeing the participation of the Japanese embassy for the first time featuring some signature dishes from the Asian country, as well as also serving as a platform to cement further the long-time bilateral relations between Qatar and Japan, established some 40 years ago. “This is the first time the embassy is taking part in the food festival and this is being done to commemorate the 40th year of relations between the two countries and also to specifically show appreciation to the Qatari government for providing $100mn financial support to Japan during the devastating earthquake,” Japanese embassy Cultural and Public Relations Secretary Sorimachi Masayaki told Gulf Times. He mentioned that the embassy would showcase ‘mochi’ pounding - a special Japanese pudding usually prepared on the first day of every new year to celebrate and herald in the year. Mochi pounding demonstrations will continue throughout the event while the sweet pudding available in three different flavours of red beans paste (Mochi-Anko), green beans paste (Mochi-Uguisu) and soy beans paste (Mochi-Kiwako) will also be served freely to guests visiting the booth. From today, a Kanteen offering for free Japanese original sweet puddings and cakes made from animal proteins and seaweeds will open and operate throughout the fest, Masayaki said. The ambassador’s chef will also prepare sushi for visitors free of cost. Speaking about the event, al-Nuaimi said a record 50,000 visitors are expected at the food fest occupying some 30,000sqm of the Doha Exhibition grounds. The participating outlets will offer dishes for QR5, QR10 and QR15 per plate with coupons, which are available for QR5 each at the event grounds. Entry to the food fest is free. The event will be open today from noon to 10.30pm, tomorrow from 1pm to 10.30pm and on February 11 from noon to 10.30pm. Gulf Times

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