By Raynald C Rivera
DOHA: Over 220,000 people are expected to visit the seventh Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) to be held from March 22 to 28 at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park, Katara and The Pearl Qatar.
Giving the details of the festival at a press conference yesterday at the MIA auditorium, Mashal Shahbik, Director of Festivals & Events at Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) said last year’s festival witnessed 170,000 visitors while this year’s expected visitors reach more than 220,000.
The projected increase in the number of visitors is in view of the fact that this year’s festival will be the biggest yet extending for seven days and with the addition of two satellite locations.
Among the new features at this year’s festival are 12 food trucks from Qatar and around the region which will be located at The Pearl Qatar, said Shahbik.
She also revealed further additions to the Festival’s activities at the MIA Park, including the Snack Court which will feature popular eateries, cafes and restaurants. The Cuisine Court will include fine-dining creations by chefs from the country’s hotels, at prices ranging between QR5 to QR35, as well as High Tea by the Bay which will offer English, Chinese and Arabic tea. In the Culture Court, Chinese and Qatari cuisine will come together in an area dedicated to celebrating the Qatar-China 2016 Year of Culture. A new area called The Market Court will sell delicacies and special ingredients.
Qatar Airways Senior Vice President for Marketing and Corporate Communications, Salam Al Shawa, said: “Qatar Airways is excited to announce its line-up of international and national celebrity chefs set to perform live on the ever-popular Qatar Airways Cooking Theatre this year and to invite visitors to experience our five-star hospitality at our signature Dinner in the Sky experience.”
Qatar Airways Senior Vice President Commercial – Qatar Ehab Amin, said: “For travellers in the GCC, QIFF makes the perfect short-break, and Qatar Airways Holidays has created special festival travel packages designed to tempt visitors with a quick getaway.”
Shahbik stressed the festival’s focus on healthy eating with a large Health Court offering organic food and access to stations where visitors can receive medical check and advice on how to take up a healthier lifestyle.
In addition, Water Court will include festival favourites, Barbecue on the Bay by the Diplomatic Club and Dinner on a Dhow by Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels.
A Youth Court will host live stage performances by Baraem TV in the MIA Park, as well as Qatar Museums’ new Healthy Food Initiative.
The InstaMarket will be filled with kiosks from top Qatar-based entrepreneurs who are active on Instagram, preparing dishes live in front of visitors.
Qatar Airways’ Dinner in the Sky is also returning the festival which will also feature regional and international bands and daily fireworks display.
A cooking theatre and an entertainment zone are being planned on Katara beach.
Water taxis will be available to transport visitors between the different locations. The festival’s opening times have been extended from 9.30am to 1pm for school visits held in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. The festival will open to the public between 1pm and 10.30pm. The Peninsula
