Meriam Jelliti
Doha
Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) is the month’s main event, celebrating the world’s culinary delights. From gourmet cuisine to street food, QIFF offers foodies and casual diners an opportunity to indulge in and discover new ones.
Walking around, one can’t help noticing how visitors dive into the vibrant world of QIFF. Beyond a food event, QIFF is a social gathering where people connect and support local businesses.
Many QIFF visitors stressed the distinction of this year’s remarkable atmosphere, pointing out that the festival succeeded in attracting thousands.
The variety of dazzling performances, attracting international entertainers specialised in presenting artistic performances, such as children’s plays, acrobatics and roaming acts, contributed to the wonderful output of the festival, which is why QIFF won the admiration of the visitors, especially children, and the venues for the performances are crowded with an eager audience, keen to celebrate in an atmosphere of joy and excitement.
Mohamad Abdulah, a Saudi national, was amazed at the ‘level’ provided by organisers. “Commuting by metro and finding parking lots near the festival sites was easy. People are cheerful and helpful, happy to direct us towards the boulevard and the festival area. Being part of this is exciting, and the event reminds us of the 2022 World Cup time,” he said.
“As a regular visitor to Qatar, I have seen the country’s growth, especially in tourism. All the strategies come alive now, and we can see that through the success of events Qatar organise, and QIFF is no different,” he added.
Ali Azharudin, an Indian resident who has lived his entire life in Qatar, said he is used to visiting all festivals in the country and has seen the growth of QIFF. “This festival witnessed a remarkable change and now is truly “international,” he noted.
Ali also pointed out that the festival is an opportunity for families and young people to have fun before Ramadan. “The activities are suitable for all ages, and this is what sets the festival apart; it contributes to tourism, and the efforts that have been put into making this festival at the highest levels are obvious and commendable.”
He stressed that the timing is perfect as the weather is most suitable for such a festival.
Tunisian Mohamad Ali, visiting QIFF for the second time, said that the choice of time and place makes this year’s QIFF
extra special. “During this lovely weather at this vast, open location and with a beautiful view of the sea, QIFF is not to be missed this year, and I’m sure this contributed to increasing the visitors, particularly families”, he noted.
Mohamad explained that hosting QIFF at Lusail adds more joy as the place is open. He stressed that the festival’s diversity is remarkable.
Suzan Rizkallah said she was keen to visit QIFF with her four children and enjoy the entertaining events and the various programmes. “I expected a food festival that is strictly about food, but I found a full-on festival that you can enjoy while grabbing a good bite,” she said.
She also admired the good organisation at the festival site, which allows all families to move comfortably and enjoy shows and events. “This festival brought joy to the hearts of adults and children, and we felt the taste of great food combined with a joyful celebration,” she said.
QIFF is the place for a great social experience. People come together to share their love for food, meet new people, and make new friends. It is a chance for people to gather, socialise, and bond over their shared love for good food.
Whether you attend the event with friends, family, or alone, you are bound to meet people who share your passion for food and are eager to share their experiences and recommendations. All while being offered a unique opportunity to interact with chefs and food vendors. Many chefs and vendors showcase their culinary skills and expertise at the festival. People learn about the different ingredients used in the dishes, the cooking techniques, and the creative processes behind the dishes. They also get to ask questions, make suggestions, and offer feedback, which creates a dialogue between the chefs and the festival
attendees.
