Diyafa 2012, the 7th International Hotel, Restaurant and Food Exhibition, opened yesterday amid much fanfare as heads of missions and city’s top hoteliers jointly launched the event at the Doha Exhibition Centre. Organised by International Fairs and Promotions (IFP) Qatar, the three-day event being held at the Doha Exhibition Centre was opened by George Ayache, General Manager of IFP, along with ambassadors of Japan, Bahrain, Germany and Greece and general managers of hotels in Doha.
This year’s Diyafa features a wide array of products for both commercial and personal hospitality use. Manufacturers from Germany, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Pakistan, Italy, France, Iran, China and Qatar have arrived to market their products and services to one of the most lucrative emerging hospitality markets.
“With several international pavilions showcasing the best hospitality products from countries such as Germany, Italy and Turkey, Diyafa has grown to sustain the needs of the market. We invite the industry leaders and business professionals and all interested parties to visit the exhibition and check out the latest products and services offered in the hospitality industry,” said Ayache.
The Diyafa exhibition introduces a new specialty this year: Spa products, attracting top spa-related companies to exhibit for the first time in Qatar, complemented by a whole day Spa Concept conference – another first in Diyafa. Boecker Training course on HACCP as well as the thrilling Salon Culinaire competition attracted huge number of participants. L’Wazaar Seafood Market made a clean sweep winning Salon Culinaire categories for the first day including Bread, Terrine/Pate, Hors D’oeuvre, and Vegetable and Fruit Carving.
The vegetable and fruit carving competition generated much interest with hundreds of people thronging to the venue to witness chefs turn vegetables and fruits into beautiful works of art.
The Boecker training course yesterday hosted hospitality professionals looking to meet international food, health, and safety standards. Delivered free of charge by Boecker Food Safety, the training programme reaffirms the company’s commitment to improving the local hospitality industry, says Boecker Country Manager, Carla Ghlaeb.
“Diyafa has become a milestone of the industry in Qatar. It facilitates professional betterment through trainings, showcases expertise and talent through competitions and helps the industry develop commercially by attracting international suppliers and local business operators to the same location every year,” said Ayache.
Scheduled for today is Boeker’s training on Occupational Health and Safety while Red Bull Bartenders Academy is conducting medium, advance and expert sessions today and mocktail bartendering competitions tomorrow. Live cooking, wedding cake, master showpiece, fresh fours and chocolate showpiece will be the focus of today’s Salon Culinaire contest.
Capping today’s line-up of exciting activities is the inaugural Qatar Choice Awards Gala Dinner tonight at Al Gassar Ballroom. The first-ever event of its kind, the Qatar Choice Awards have already caused a stir. With 372 registrants, Qatar’s public nominated 181 contestants in 26 categories with 12,166 votes cast. Exhibition runs until tomorrow from 3pm to 9pm.
The Peninsula
Follow us on our social media channels:
@ILQlive
@ILQlive
@ILoveQtr
ILoveQatar
