Qatar International Food Festival 2018 brings on the start of an 11-day festival celebrating all kinds of deliciousness!
There are over 177 food stalls and trucks showcasing a variety of restaurant concepts from Qatar’s best hotels and popular restaurants and eateries from across the country. Pricing of menu items is limited by QIFF organisers to be between QAR 5 – 40.
Yes, you do have to pay for food from the food stands however entrance to the festival is FREE!
And there are plenty of FREE activities on offer too!
How to Spend a Family-Friendly Day at QIFF2018!
Qatar International Food Festival isn’t just about the food; there are plenty of cultural & entertainment activities planned for the entire duration of the festival. With all the FREE activities on offer, it really is possible to enjoy a fun-filled family day out without breaking your budget!
FREE World-Class Cooking Demonstrations
The QIFF signature cooking theatre is an opportunity for young and old alike to watch world-renowned chefs showcase their skills, as they prepare and cook gourmet dishes. Each day of the festival the cooking theatre will showcase food under different themes from Seafood and Beef to Organic and Dessert.
Watch food demonstrations from international and regional Chefs from the US, the Philippines, India, Lebanon, Turkey, Kuwait and more!
Famous Chefs such as Wolfgang Puck, Ramzi Choueiri, Anna Olson, and Ajay Chopra will be cooking live during QIFF!
For the full cooking theatre schedule check out:
There will also be live cooking demonstrations by locally-based Chefs from Doha’s best restaurants including the Four Seasons’ Chef Marco Arlotti, and the chefs from WE Cafe.
There will be opportunities for members of the audience to take part, including the kids. Best of all, as per usual practice, the dishes cooked by the chefs will be handed out to the audience for FREE sample tasting!
FAMILY TIP: Don’t forget to come prepared with any questions you may have for your favourite Chef!
Price: FREE!
FREE Food Competitions!
There are plenty of opportunities to watch – and take part in – food competitions at QIFF2018!
You cannot miss the ice carving (scheduled for 16th March 4-6pm) and fruit carving (scheduled for 23rd March 4-6pm). These culinary showcases have been organised by Qatar Culinary Professionals and are popular with the crowds!
There will also be daily food contests in the cooking theatre for best burger since, the best sandwich and more. See the cooking schedule for more details.
Price: FREE!
Daily FREE Firework Displays
Daily fireworks are scheduled for 8:00pm everyday (except opening night). If you head to the hills at Hotel Park you will get the best views of the fireworks, although they will also be visible across Doha’s Corniche!
FAMILY TIP: Bring a mat, and picnic and you can also enjoy the balmy evenings on the hills of Hotel Park – aim to be there for sunset for the best views!
Price: FREE!
FREE Entertainment
There are plenty of FREE child-friendly activities running during QIFF, including special sports classes to encourage healthy wellbeing and awareness. There will also be creative crafts, a mini zoo and a farm-to-table concept highlighted by Torba Farmer’s Market. (Please note that some elements of these attractions will not be free e.g. food at the farmer’s market will cost money).
There will also be cultural performances organised by the participating embassies, and musical acts with special guest spots by Doha-based hip hop dance troupe, Beats and Bytes as well as Music Vending Machine, The Doha String Quartet & Friends, and Doha Jazz.
Price: FREE!
FREE Film Screenings!
In collaboration with DFI there will be special screenings that include Made In Qatar Shorts Program, Winnie the Pooh and Finding Nemo. These will be on rotation each evening, and are scheduled to begin shortly after the fireworks display.
Price: FREE!
QIFF 2018
WHAT: Qatar International Food Festival 2018
WHEN: Thursday March 15 – Sunday 25th 2018
TIMINGS: 4:00pm-12:00am midnight (Saturday – Wednesday) | 4:00pm-1:00am (Thursday & Friday).
WHERE: Hotel Park
WEBSITE: Qatar International Food Festival
WHERE TO PARK:
HOTEL PARK MAP: