Food festival to dish up a treat for visitors

Residents and visitors will have the opportunity to savour a diverse range of local and international dishes from Wednesday at the eight edition of the Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF).

The 11-day celebration will take place until April 8 at the Hotel Park, a scenic location near the Sheraton Doha Hotel overlooking the Doha Corniche.

In a statement, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) said they will highlight not only the private sector’s entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprise but also homegrown talents. “Their presence enriches the festival’s offerings and is indispensable in providing tourists with uniquely Qatari experiences,” QTA festivals and tourism events director Mashal Shahbik said.

For the first time, QIFF will feature an array of dishes from participating embassies in Doha at the Cultural Zone which include Ethiopia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, South Africa, Turkey and the US. 

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Dinner in the Sky is a highlight at the QIFF.

Hotel and local restaurants will offer a variety of authentic dishes from these 10 countries, including Qatar. About the rates, organisers have assured festival visitors that the prices of four and five-star food offerings at the Hotel Zone, which consists of 16 participating hotels, will not be higher than QR35. The signature Dinner in the Sky is also set to take off on Wednesday for those who want to experience unique fine dining experiences at QR500 per person.

The venue is all set to accommodate a large number of people in its 2,500-capacity underground parking, making it easier for them to go from the basement to the ground.

Besides the activations and stalls at QIFF, the park also features a play area, medical room, toilets, prayer room, a number of attractions such as waterfalls, fitness zone, tidal pool, and fountain. However, the park prohibits cycling, and skateboarding in its premises, as well as swimming at the tidal pool and fountain.

Under a new venue and layout, organisers have put up a directory at the main zone to guide visitors on the various zones, stalls and stages. 

Families will also enjoy having their picnics on the grass outdoors at QIFF, a new addition in this year’s festival, as they watch cultural and entertainment shows, and the fireworks display from 8pm every night.

The QIFF 2017, organised by QTA in partnership with Katara Hospitality, aims to diversify the country’s tourism offerings to attract more visitors.