Celebrity chefs and VIP attendance marked the opening of the 10th edition of the country’s longest-running multi-cultural annual event, the Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF), which opened at Oxygen Park in Education City this week.
The special guests who graced the opening ceremony included Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Qatar Museums Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, and Secretary-General of Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) and GCEO of Qatar Airways HE Akbar Al Baker. Celebrity chefs Masaharu Morimoto, Dominique Ansel and Noora Al Kuwari also demonstrated their master skills on the opening day, kicking off performances by 34 more chefs over the next days of the festival
This edition comes as a celebration of the festival’s 10 successful years, featuring 37 top international and local culinary artists from 17 countries – the largest number of celebrity chefs hosted in any one edition. Another first for the festival is its new and unique venue – the Oxygen Park in Education City, and its three dedicated areas: O1 for main course specialties and centre stage; O2 for kids-friendly foods and activities; and O3 for cafes and light food.
It’s no secret that we, in Qatar, are united in our love for great food; and nowhere is this more evident than at the annual Qatar International Food Festival.Whether you’re a gourmet traveller who appreciates culinary innovation, or a lover of authentic culture, #QIFF2019’s 10th edition is bound to satisfy.Get ready to savour #Qatar in every moment and every bite from March 20 – 30 at Qatar Foundation’s Oxygen Park.Qatar Airways #VisitQatar-حُبّنا للطعام ليس بالأمر الخفي؛ ويتجلى ذلك مع مهرجان قطر الدولي للأغذية.سواء كنت ممّن يسافرون بحثاً عن أشهى المأكولات، أو إن كنت من محبي الثقافة الأصيلة؛ فالنسخة العاشرة من مهرجان #قطر الدولي للأغذية في انتظارك.#زوروا_قطر
Posted by Visit Qatar on Tuesday, 19 March 2019
In addition to over 150 mouthwatering F&B offerings, QIFF visitors will see vibrant cultural shows, roaming entertainment, and month-long side events offering learning opportunities of culinary craft and healthy nutrition to participants of all ages.
HE Akbar Al Baker welcomed the dignitaries, festival partners and other members of QNTC to the opening. He said that the annual festival is a celebration of the country’s cultural diversity, and played a key role in enriching our calendar of curated events, giving more reasons for tourists to visit and revisit Qatar. It has also elevated the country’s food and beverage industry and introduced Qatar to flavours and culinary artists from all around the world as well as encouraged local entrepreneurs and upcoming businesses.
The recently-established QNTC is built on collaboration, unity and empowerment. This festival, which brings together so many partners from across the public, private and semi-government sectors to curate a unique and diverse tourism experience is exactly what that new governance model is about. This year being the Qatar-India Year of Culture, we also look forward to seeing a special emphasis on the foods and cultural elements of both countries.’
Qatar Foundation has joined QIFF 2019 as a Strategic Partner, and this year played host to the festival in Oxygen Park, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the impressive Education City.
QF President of Community Development Machaille Al Naimi said they are immensely proud to be the host of the 10thedition of QIFF.
We thank the QNTC for choosing Education City as the venue for such a key milestone in the history of this great community event. In Education City, we believe we have a venue that – through our facilities, and its character – befits the central place that this festival holds in the cultural and social fabric of Qatar.
For those visiting the festival, Education City may be a new experience, or a familiar one. But what all of them will find is an open, diverse, inclusive, and vibrant environment that we hope will bring a new, exciting dimension to their enjoyment of this event.’
Over 30 global social media influencers attending the VisitQatar Inflow Summit ’19 will also attend QIFF and share their first-hand experiences of the multicultural festival with their audiences. QNTC also launched a marketing campaign to attract visitors from Kuwait, Oman and India to the event.
As in previous years, this edition is organised and delivered by QNTC with support from numerous partners representing the aviation, entertainment, hospitality and F&B sectors in Qatar. For more information about QIFF, visit their website at qifoodfestival.qa.
Related Link:
https://www.marhaba.qa/ten-reasons-why-you-cant-miss-this-years-qiff/
