Culinary event showcases finest international five star fare and international celebrity chefs demonstrate their talents in front of dignitaries.
DOHA, QATAR – The fourth edition of the Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) was declared open dlast week as dignitaries gathered for the inauguration of the annual culinary event in Doha organised by the Qatar Tourism Authority and Qatar Airways.
In the presence of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, His Excellency Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, Minister of Culture Arts and Heritage, His Excellency Eng Issa Al-Mohannadi, Chairman of Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, the event drew in large crowds at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park on Doha’s waterfront.
A number of high-level dignitaries, including Ambassadors, general managers of participating hotels, international media and delegates from QTA and Qatar Airways were also in attendance.
In his welcoming speech, Qatar Tourism Authority Chairman, His Excellency Eng Issa Al-Mohannadi, said: “Qatar Tourism Authority is honoured to have Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani opening the fourth edition of the Qatar International Food Festival and we are proud to stage the event this year in partnership with Qatar Airways.
“This year we have greatly enhanced the event in its new location in the Museum of Islamic Art Park, to provide residents and international visitors with an exciting programme of innovative events and activities. The event has an overall flavour of world class Five Star cuisine to appeal to visitors from home and abroad with a unique emphasis on wholesome food for a healthy lifestyle.”
Qatar Airways CEO, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, added: “We are thrilled to be part of such a great community event and look forward to welcoming a large number of people during the weekend.
“We pride ourselves in offering a Five Star experience to our customers and now we are bringing that great hospitality to our community right here in Doha. We are very pleased to partner with our friends at the Qatar Tourism Authority to put together bring such a family-friendly and fun event in our capital city. I would also like to thank the Museum of Islamic Art for allowing us to hold the festival here, a stunning location that only adds to the Five Star quality of this event.”
Guests were greeted with the sounds of traditional Qatari music, played on the oud, as they arrived. The ceremony included presenting the winner of the Qatar International Food Festival Cooking Competition Rawan Mohammad R A Abo with her prize of an internship at Astor Grill at the St. Regis Hotel. There was also a tempo electronic violin performance by Soledad & Annemarie from the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra.
Children from local schools in Doha released balloons in the air to mark the official opening of the event.
After a short walk from centre stage to the International Zone, guests were treated to an exclusive demonstration by celebrated TV chef and Qatar Airways culinary ambassador Chef Ramzi Choueiri from Lebanon where he prepared chicken Caesar salad – with an Arabic twist!
The Qatar Airways Cooking Theatre was the venue for the demonstration, which also saw Qatar Airways culinary ambassador Vineet Bhatia, a Michelin star chef from the UK, prepare an Indian delicacy for the gathered guests.
A visit to the Qatar UK Zone – a festival highlight to promote the year of cross cultural relations between the two countries – Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, His Excellency Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, Minister of Culture Arts and Heritage, His Excellency Eng Issa Al-Mohannadi, His Excellency Mr. Akbar al-Baker, Cecilia El Beleidi, a representative of the UK Embassy, Chef Ramzi and Chef Vineet showed the crowd their culinary skills as they prepared vegetables for guests and the media.
Guests were later treated to a light reception in the tented VIP area catered by Babig while the festival opened to the public and families to join in the all the fun, festivities, entertainment and, of course food!
Activities include a Dining in the Sky experience where visitors can enjoy gourmet food on a dining table suspended 40 metres in the air. Another key attraction is a floating vessel shaped like a donut where visitors can eat out or have tea at sea.
The festival offered four days of family fun and entertainment with gastronomic alfresco eating, drinking and cooking. QIFF will entice visitors to sample delicious 5 star cuisine from around the world. The nternationally-renowned chefs will join many of the chefs from Doha’s finest hotels and restaurants to celebrate fine dining with the freshest ingredients following the latest food trends, as well as healthy eating options in Qatar’s capital city.
Photo caption: At the final stop of the official tour during the inauguration of the Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF), VIPs stop for a photo. Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage HE Dr. Hamad Abdulaziz Al Kuwari (centre), with Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker (right), and Chef Vineet Bhatia (left).
