QIFF 2016 Guide: Everything you need to know about the food festival

This year Qatar International Food Festival is expected to be bigger and better than ever with expanded foodie offerings and entertainments!

Qatar Living will be the Community Partner again this year, so here's everything you need to know about #QIFF2016.

There will be live cooking, a variety of food & snack stalls – together they will showcase the five senses to provide a deeper meaning of “A Different Side of Food!”

Qatar Tourism Authority and Qatar Airways are co-hosting the food festival from Tuesday 22nd March – Monday 28th March 2016. Over 220,000 visitors are expected to visit the 7 day food festival, which includes an increase in regional tourists from surrounding territories.

Prices have been capped by the QTA to reasonable prices so that food offerings are affordable. You can check out the hotel dining and restaurant and snack booths expected. Food prices range from QR5 to QR35. Additional activities such as the Dinner in the Sky and the BBQ Donuts, and the water shuttle services will have separate pricings.

#QIFF2016 – THE BIG GUIDE

Qatar Living is the proud media sponsor of #QIFF2016 and will be covering the event throughout the festival period. If you have any questions contact us. Make sure to follow us on social media for real-time updates – let the food coma begin!

WHEN IS #QIFF2016?

Tuesday 22nd March – Monday 28th March 2016

WHERE IS #QIFF2016?  

MIA Park (main hub)
Tuesday 22nd March 5:00pm – 10:30pm and 23rd – 28th March 1:00 pm – 10:30pm

Please note that school visits will occur from 10.00am but this QIFF venue will not be open to the public iuntil the afternoon.

Katara Cultural Village(satellite location)
Weekdays from 4:00pm until 10:00pm.
Weekends from 1:00pm until 10.30pm.

Lido Venezia Beach at The Pearl-Qatar (satellite location)

Weekdays from 4:00pm until 10:00pm.
Weekends from 1:00pm until 10.00pm.

For details about the events schedule check out the QIFF 2016 7 day Schedule for all three venues.

HOW DO I GET THERE?

A FREE bus shuttle service is available to and from Old Airport Arrivals Terminal Car Park to MIA Park. Departs every day from 1:00 pm – 10:30 pm, except on 22nd March when it will be from 5:00-10:30 pm

There is limited parking available at MIA Park and will be made available only to cars carrying more than 3 persons. There is also a parking basement at Souq Waqif that visitors can use, and then you can cross over the road and come in through MIA Park entrance.

Visitors to The Pearl-Qatar can park in the Retail Parking in Qanat Quartier. From there they can walk to golf carts which will take them to the Lido Venezia Beach.

A water shuttle service will be available to and from any of the three locations, and will run every half hour. Tickets cost QR25 and are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Water taxi services will stop during the daily fireworks display at 8:30 pm for safety reasons.

Route One: MIA Park to Katara – Katara to MIA Park 

Frequency: Every half hour. First boat departs 4:00 pm, last boat departs 9:15pm.

Route Two: MIA Park to The Pearl-Qatar – The Pearl-Qatar to MIA Park 

Please note that water taxis will dock at La Croisette. A free shuttle bus will be available to transport visitors to the Festival venue in Qanat Quartier. Frequency: Every half hour. First boat departs 4:00pm, last boat departs 9:15pm.

Private Car services and Limo Services are also available.  

WHAT’S NEW AT #QIFF2016?

• There are three venues: MIA Park, Katara Cultural Village and The Pearl-Qatar! Water Shuttles have been arranged this year to provide alternative transport between the three locations.

• Over 130 participants will be taking part – from 5 star dining to local restaurants and snack stalls!

• There is an increase of internationally acclaimed celebrity chefs at the Qatar Airways’ Live Cooking Theatre! Headliners include Martha Stewart, George Calombaris, Tagaki Kazuo, Jesús Escalera Francisco Ruano. Popular QIFF Chefs Vineet Bhatia and Massimo Capra  will be back, whilst the Fatafeat TV Quad are also back again!

• Qatar Museum Authority brings the Chinese Court as part of the Qatar-China Year of Culture 2016 – so expect lots of Qatari and Chinese treats!

• QMA will also be launching the Healthy Food Initiative – a programme of activities designed to increase awareness about leading a healthier lifestyle and to promote healthy eating. The Healthy Food Show on March 25th from 4:30pm to 8:30pm will bring together three world-renowned experts to share dietary advice and promote physical exercise. Alain Ducasse (IDAM) will also be attending the festival as part of QMA healthy eating initiative.

• There is a bigger focus on healthy eating this year with increased offerings of organic, vegan food and beverages. MIA Café is launching a series of recipes that have been developed through a unique collaboration with a selection of lifestyle and food bloggers from the local community. The brand new, updated menu features a range of healthy eating options. 

• There are increased entertainments for children with Baraem TV participating to provide live stage performances.

• Food Trucks are a big feature at new venue The Pearl-Qatar with local and regional food trucks and stands, inlcuding Burgeri Truck!

• The Foodie Zone at Katara will showcase all sorts of delicious culinary goodness including street food.

WHAT’S ON AT MIA PARK

Daily Fireworks at 8.00pm!

Dinner in the Sky  Qatar Airways will once again be putting on the gourmet business class ‘flight-experience’ priced at QR500 per person.

Entertainment Court – Expect increased family and cultural entertainment with LED Drummers, Nily Nisl (back again with his unicycle!), and KidzMondo entertainers.

All-Star Court - There was some good news about the different food offerings with an increased focus on cheaper priced snacks ranging from QR5 to QR35 at the Snack Court which will feature popular eateries, cafes and restaurants.

5 Star Court – With fine-dining creations by chefs from the country’s hotels at prices ranging between QR5-35.

Qatar Airway’s Cooking Theatre – The crowd favourite with headliner guest chefs including Martha Stewart, Vineet Bhatia and Massimo Capra.

High Tea Court – High Tea by the Bay will be provided by Katara Hospitality.

Qatar-China Court – Chinese pavilion for the 2016 Qatar-China Year of Culture, with a focus on Chinese and Qatari cuisine.

Instagram Court – with kiosks from 12 Qatar-based entrepreneurs who are active on Instagram.

Market Court – A showcase of local foods including tea, and visitors will also be able to purchase ingredients.

Health Court - Healthy Eating will again be a focus at QIFF 2016, with a Health Court. There will be organic food and access to stations where visitors can receive medical checks, and advice about healthy living. School activities have already begun educating children about the importance of fruit and vegetables and the message of healthy eating is being enforced by key partners.

Kids Court -  Arabic channel Baream TV will also have live cartoon character shows for children.

Water Court – Will have the popular QIFF activities Barbecue on the Bay by the Diplomatic Club - enjoy a fun meal with friends and family on a floating BBQ Donut. Or choose to board a traditional wooden dhow for Dinner on a Dhow by Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels.

WHAT’S ON AT KATARA

This year’s Festival will have a presence in Katara Cultural Village, with a cooking theatre and an entertainment zone planned in the Village’s beach area.

Foodie Court – expect a range of restaurants to serve up culinary delights for every palate along the Katara promenade.

Live Cooking – This includes dishes as varied as pomelo salad, beef wellington, jamaican jerk chicken and ackee saltfish. Visitors will also be taught how to make the popular regional dessert Kunafa!

Entertainments - includes DJ, Nils Nily (the unicylist), and Barbs.

WHAT’S ON AT THE PEARL-QATAR

Food Trucks are expected at the Beach Court. Vendors will be from local brands here in Qatar and regional favourites from Kuwait and KSA.

Entertainments - will include Nily Nils juggling on his unicycle, Barbs, Chefs & Waiters comedy show and LED Drummers. There will also be a Lion Dance performance at The Pearl-Qatar!

Live Cooking – Cooking from some of the headline chefs including Chef Massimo Capra, Chef Vineet Bhatia and Qatari vegan social influencer Ghanim Al Sulaiti.

Movie Screenings – Doha Film Institute will screen popular food-related movies Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs and Ponyo! Please note in very windy conditions the screenings are cancelled.

UPDATE: You can find The Pearl-Qatar location at Lido Venezia Beach. There is public parking you can use, and then you can walk or take one of the golf carts. You can also arrive by water taxi (priced at QR25) and take the free bus.