The 10th edition of Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) will be held this year from 20 to 30 March at the Oxygen Park of Qatar Foundation (QF), according to an announcement from officials of Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) and QF.
The festival is Qatar’s longest-running food and beverage tradition, combining culinary arts with family entertainment, and this year it celebrates its milestone edition at the heart of Education City, offering a whole new format and exciting festivities at a different venue.
Over the last decade, QIFF has grown as a festival and so has its contribution to the country’s thriving dining scene – attracting international chefs to open local outlets and support local businesses. This year, the festival has also dedicated 15% of its spaces to up-and-coming entrepreneurs and local SME, providing them with a suitable platform to introduce their F&B offerings in the market.
All participants interested in booking a stall in the QIFF 2019 (including hotels, restaurants, SME and others) can register online through this link: http://qiff2019.live/english. Deadline for registration is 23 February.
Mashal Shahbik of QNTC said they are very pleased to partner with QF for the 10th edition of the QIFF. She said they have chosen Oxygen Park to offer a new look and curated experiences for different age groups and palates, in addition to popular features from previous editions.
QIFF also inspires entrepreneurs to offer innovative initiatives and has been instrumental for the success of numerous local startups. We look forward to celebrating with our partners.’
Mohammed Fakhroo, Executive Director of Outreach and Institutional Advancement at QF, said they are delighted with the collaboration with QNTC, and with QF hosting QIFF for the first time. He said that by providing the use of QF facilities for this event, they are encouraging community participation, showing support for local projects and initiatives that benefit the nation and ultimately help fulfil the country’s overarching goal of creating a sustainable economy.
This collaboration will also show how Education City is a vibrant and diverse environment that is open to the wider community. By providing year-round activities, we offer visitors the opportunity to explore Qatar Foundation, including its recreational facilities, community development initiatives, educational offerings, and science and research centres – all of which have been designed to create a positive impact on the community.’
QIFF, first organised in 2010 as part of Qatar’s strategy to grow and diversify its tourism offerings in partnership with the private sector, has gained popularity and gone from strength to strength, recording over 400,000 visitors in 2018.
So far, QIFF has been held at numerous scenic venues across Qatar, including at Katara Cultural Village, Museum of Islamic Art Park, Hotel Park, and The Pearl-Qatar. This year, residents and visitors will get a chance to explore the impressively designed and landscaped Oxygen Park, also referred to as the ‘green lungs of Education City’, as well as other amenities within its premises, including the Qatar National Library, the Minaretein Building (Education City Mosque), the Qur’anic Botanic Garden, and the Torba Farmers Market.
For updates and announcements on QIFF 2019, visit the QNTC website at visitqatar.qa.
