A medley of mouth-watering Filipino cuisine on offer at the festival at Westin Doha Hotel and Spa yesterday.
By Raynald C Rivera
DOHA: Three days of scrumptious food, great festivity and exciting competitions which attracted more than 6,000 visitors ended at the ‘Kulinarya Qatar 2016, Filipino Community Family Day and Food Festival at Westin Doha Hotel and Spa yesterday.
The festival was the highlight of Kulinarya Qatar — a unique brand and movement initiated by the Philippine Embassy to promote the Philippines as a preferred tourist and business destination, using Filipino gastronomy as an effective vehicle.
In its second year, the initiative has been well received by Filipinos with major Filipino organisations making their best efforts to successfully hold the event. A core team under the leadership of United Filipino Entrepreneurs in Qatar (UFEQ) was formed to organise the event under the aegis of the embassy.
“This is a food festival and family fun day in which Filipinos and other nationalities are welcome. It has been a fantastic and awesome festival and all our vendors are happy and satisfied with the turnout,” Aisha Al Baker, member of the core team of Kulinarya Qatar 2016, told The Peninsula yesterday.
Al Baker, also a member of UFEQ and owner of Hillside restaurant, said every year two festivals are organised under the Kulinarya Qatar brand during Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha holidays. She said they are planning to host a bigger festival next Eid Al-Fitr at the same venue.
“All vendors at the festival have expressed intention to join in festival next year,” she said, adding they expect the number of vendors to rise with the success of the current festival.
“We are also mulling to organise another event like this on Qatar National Day and hope it will again be successful,” said Al Baker. Winners of the best restaurant and best menu among the 15 Doha-based Filipino restaurants who took part in the festival were announced.
The participating restaurants laid out a rich line-up of their most delectable fare during the festival and winners were determined through public voting.
The winners of the first search for Little Mr. and Ms. Kulinarya Qatar 2016 were also crowned. Eleven children vied for the title after a series of training and competing in talent and casual and formal wear, among others. The winners will represent Kulinarya Qatar in activities promoting its mission and vision.
Earlier, a fruit and vegetable carving competition was held in which Filipino culinary professionals from top hotels showcased turned fruits and vegetables into works of art.
Among other features of the festival were zumba sessions with Filipino celebrities and health and fitness talks. The festival was also an opportunity for 20 companies and Filipino entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services to the general public.
