8th QIFF: A Different Side of Food

Truly, Qatar International Food Festival has evolved not only to highlight the food culture of its diverse expat community but also to introduce a lot more on its annual festivity which runs from 29th March to 8th April this year 2017.

Aside from the change in venue, the regular Dinner in the Sky, and the nightly fireworks display, another first for the Festival includes a series of Chef’s Table events being held at select five-star hotel restaurants, giving residents and visitors an opportunity to enjoy special live cooking and dining experiences with internationally-acclaimed chefs. This way, the food festival will not only be concentrated at the Hotel Park but also celebrated in almost all major hotels in Doha.

Also this year, we saw for the very first time some Filipino food establishments onboard. This further strengthens the undeniable presence of the Filipino community in Qatar.

The use of social media was also seen as a major driving force in advertising the event. Those “instagram-worthy” food photos quickly circulates within the tech-savvy generation of Qatar.

Also noteworthy was the presence of homegrown businesses and new initiatives by young Qatari entrepreneurs which was introduced during the Shop Qatar season and is continuing up to this edition of QIFF.

Here’s a run though of the Qatar International Food Festival throughout the year. Remember taking part in any of them?

             Venue               Date                                           Highlights

8^th        Hotel Park       March 29 – April 8, 2017        Theme: A Different Side of Food

https://www.marhaba.qa/event/qatar-international-food-festival-2017/

7^th        MIA Park         March 22 – 28, 2016               Received 200,000 visitors according to Qatar Tourism Authority

http://www.qifoodfestival.qa/blog/2016/03/23/renowned-chefs-from-east-and-west-come-together-in-doha-to-kick-off-7th-qiff/

http://www.qatareating.com/qatar-food-festival/

6^th        MIA Park         March 24 – 28, 2015               Entertainment, raffle prizes, and a genuine festival atmosphere (with fireworks show)

http://www.qifoodfestival.qa/blog/2016/03/02/qatar-tourism-authority-and-qatar-airways-announce-the-food-zones-and-activities-for-the-qatar-international-food-festival-2015/

http://marhaba.qa/event/qatar-international-food-festival-qiff-2015/

5^th        MIA Park         March 20 – 23, 2014               Food Zones and Activities

http://www.boulangerry.com/gastronomic-tales/qatar-international-food-festival/

http://marhaba.qa/qatar-international-food-festival-announces-food-zones-and-activities/

4^th        MIA Park         March 28 – 31, 2013               First ‘Dinner in the Sky’ operated by W Hotel and Residences Doha / Dining at sea from The Diplomatic Club

https://www.marhaba.qa/qatar-international-food-festival-qiff-2013/

3^rd        Doha Exhibition Center                       February 8-11, 2012   Taste and Fun Food Festival

http://www.lifeonthespot.com/blog/2012/02/taste-and-fun-food-festival-2012-recommendations.php

2^nd       Doha Exhibition Center                       February 23-26, 2011 Taste and Fun Food Festival

http://www.lifeonthespot.com/blog/2011/02/2nd-annual-doha-food-festival.php

http://www.iloveqatar.net/event/content/annual-doha-food-festival-taste-and-fun-2011

1^st        Doha Exhibition Center                       February 4-6, 2010     Taste and Fun Food Festival

http://www.arabturkishtravel.com/2010/destinations/first-doha-food-festival-to-take-place-in-4-6-february/

https://wahyuinqatar.wordpress.com/2010/02/03/doha-food-festival/

Credits to all the writers/publishers of the above references (links).

Checkout our INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT for more updates on #QIFF2017: @bestlifeqatar