10 reasons you need to visit this year's Qatar International Food Festival

Beautiful spring weather is just one reason why March is a much-admired month for many people in Qatar.What makes this beautiful time more attractive is the 11-day annual food and fun gala Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) that takes place in the country every year.

QIFF offers a panorama of food possibilities, great outdoor family entertainment and multicultural activities to everyone from the gastronome to the food explorer to the hard worker looking for a refreshing treat and fun time out. 

Here are ten reasons why you shouldn’t miss this year’s edition, which marks the 10th anniversary of the much-popular event.

The festival kicks-off this afternoon at Qatar Foundation’s Oxygen Park and will run until March 30. Timings are from 3 pm to 11 pm (Saturday – Wednesday) and 3pm to 1 am (Thursday and Friday). 

And here’s why you should enjoy all that the festival has to offer this year:

1. Special Edition

Having earned its position as one of the most anticipated events in the country, QIFF welcomes foodies from Qatar and around the globe to celebrate the world's diverse cuisines every year.

With 9 successful editions held in key landmarks around Qatar, the bar has been raised to deliver new and unique experiences.

To mark the festival’s 10th anniversary, organisers have put together a memorable edition with a unique explosion of flavours, dazzling entertainment and cultural shows, and fun activities for all ages, brought together in one of Qatar’s iconic locations, which allows visitors to…

2. Eat. Play. Learn.

You’ve probably attended QIFF at MIA Park or Sheraton Park previously as the festival aims to bring to limelight Qatar’s beautiful venues.

This year’s event gives you a chance to explore Qatar Foundation’s Education City, with the festival taking center stage in its impressively designed and landscaped Oxygen Park.

You can spend a whole day at the festival by walking around to burn the extra calories and to admire the spectacular architecture and landscaping. And if you get tired, take refuge in the peace and quiet of Qatar National Library.

To reach the venue, enter Education City from gates 1,2,5,7:

·       Gates 1 and 2 if you are coming from Mall of Qatar side and Gharrafa AlRayaan.

·       Gate 5 if you are coming from slope Roundabout or Markhiya area

·       Gate 7 if you are coming from Foroseya Road or Old Rayaan

There will be shuttle buses running every 8-10 minutes from various parking areas within Education City as well as from QNCC parking.

3. Food, food and more food!

Take a break from cooking and treat your taste buds to new flavours and cuisines because you’ll have the chance to experience 157 delectable F&B options over 11 days!

Popular eateries, new outlets and caterers from all over town are offering mouthwatering goodies ranging from popular Arabic delicacies to all major international cuisines; from fresh organic produce and healthy options to innovative creations and food combinations that are bound to surprise you.

A distinctive number of upcoming local businesses and startups will be introducing their foods and beverages for the first time to QIFF visitors. Try these offerings to encourage these young foodpreneurs. 

4. International & Local Celebrity Chefs

A highlight and regular feature of the festival are globally-acclaimed chefs coming together to enthrall audiences with their culinary magic.

Fans and food lovers not only watch their favorite icons display their craft in awe, but also have the opportunity to meet and greet them.

This year, 37 international and local celebrity chefs from 17 countries are coming to celebrate 10 years of the QIFF. Masaharu Morimoto, Richard Sandoval, Dominique Ansel, Eric Lanlard, Ranveer Brar, Siba Mtongana, Jenny Morris, and Lorraine Pascale are just few of these names.

There is also a big number of Qatari chefs participating such as Aisha Al Tamimi, Sarra Al Syed, Noora Al Mazroui as well as regional chefs Manal Al Alam, Jameela Al Lenqawi and Al Yazi Al Awadh.

5. Culinary Experiences with the World’s Best

They say cooking is an art that involves all five senses; even the sixth if you count unexplained cravings!

QIFF is the only food festival in town that offers many more food-related activities than just eating.

In addition to daily live cooking at the festival’s cooking theatre stage by 37 globally acclaimed chefs, QIFF also offers numerous exclusive interactive cooking and tasting sessions that are arranged on the sidelines of the festival where aspiring chefs watch and learn master skills and techniques alongside their favourite TV stars.

While select 5-star restaurants across Doha are hosting Chef’s Table sessions with Iron Chef Masharu Morimoto, Richard Sandoval, Nobu Matsuhissa and Barista Trainer Sam Ceviköz, The Chef’s Garden Restaurant in Education City will be hosting cooking masterclasses with Barista Trainer Sam and Food Network star hosts Siba Mtongana and Jenny Morris and Salma Souleiman.

6. Step into the Future

Spread over 130,000-square-metres, the impressive Oxygen Park has beautifully landscaped outdoor spaces, and ample underground parking with over 3000 spaces.

The three grounds have been themed O1, O2 and O3. O1 will be dedicated to cafes, light snacks and other activities and O2 will be all about children’s activities while O3 will feature all the main food stalls and the centre stage featuring Live Cooking Theatre and other programs.

Besides other activities, Education City’s world-renowned universities will be offering unique, futuristic fun activities for visitors such as getting a 3-D face scan, changing your voice, virtual reality experiences, Sphero Football and many other activities including health checks, spin the wheel quiz, Arabic calligraphy and Lego construction of the Minaretein building.

Reach the venue early to avoid queues and enjoy these fun activities for free!

7. A Festival within the Festival for the Little Ones

Great news for families with kids, no more struggling to find a good spot for kids to play between food stalls and diners! There is a whole ground (O2) dedicated just for children with all their favourite goodies, healthy food options, fun booths and ample of playing space including two large sand pits.

And that’s not all, there will be an exclusive Kidzania Go booth offering fun activities like TV station, Radio Station, 360 Virtual Reality and a RightzKeeper Zone for toddlers along with a photo booth and gardening area.

8. Music & Entertainment

Throughout the eleven days of the festival, there will be live entertainment on the centre stage (in O3) including musical and cultural performances as well as interviews of celebrity chefs, quiz and cooking competitions for the audience from The Food Network, courtesy of the festival’s partner beIN Network. 

This year being the Qatar-India Year of Culture, there will be special performances and features in the festival based on the cultural offerings of the two countries.

Besides the main stage, there will be roaming performances, mascots and food themed structures for you to take those selfies with for Instagram.

9. QIFF Menu

QIFF’s food offerings aren’t just limited to the festival venue. Over 90 restaurants across Qatar are serving a curated "QIFF Menu" through the whole month of March, giving you a chance to celebrate food at your favorite restaurant as they present an exclusive 3-course QIFF Menu consisting of a starter, main course and dessert, at discounted prices of 45, 95 and 125 QAR.

There are 35 restaurants in hotels, 16 inside malls and over 40 are standalone restaurants offering the QIFF Menu. The list of these restaurants can be seen here: www.qifoodfestival.qa.

10. Perfect Time to Host Visitors!

If you’re looking for a good time to have family or friends over for a short break, now is a great opportunity with QIFF offering plenty of outdoor fun in beautiful weather and an introduction to the country’s authentic food and culture.

Qatar has made it to top international  travel rankings being listed in Forbes’ Top 15 Places To Travel In 2019 and NYT list of 2019 destinations. And why not, since 80% of the world’s population is within a 6-hour flight from Qatar and there are unlimited travel options with the five-star national carrier Qatar Airways covering more than 150 destinations worldwide besides over 50 other international airlines.

Being the Official Airline Partner of QIFF ’19, Qatar Airways has announced special discounts on fares from selected destinations to Qatar (Visit QA website for more details).

Let us know in the comments below if you're planning to visit and what are you looking forward to most about this year's QIFF?
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Cover Image Credit: on file