The Qatar International Food Festival or QIFF, the country’s longest-running gastronomic festival, returns this year to celebrate the richness of international cuisine and culinary passion. Set in the magnificent grounds of the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, the event, organized by the Qatar Tourism Authority and Qatar Airways, attracts visitors from all over the world. World-renowned chefs come together with the best local cooks to offer unique gastronomic experiences. This reinforces Qatar’s appeal as a top tourist destination.
Over several weekends, participants can sample tasty dishes in some 50 tented pitches, while enjoying a variety of activities and shows for families. This edition of the festival, which coincides with Doha Expo 2023, highlights the Moroccan Year of Culture 2024, emphasizing the importance of cultural exchange. With culinary demonstrations, competitions, fireworks and live entertainment, this refined, world-class occasion promises to offer total immersion in the world of flavors and arts. QIFF is a showcase for hospitality and business travel, consolidating the country’s role on the international gastronomic stage and offering memorable moments for all visitors.
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The origin and evolution of the festival over the years
The origins of the Qatar Food Festival go back many years, and are part of the Years of Culture initiative launched by Qatar Museums in 2012, aimed at promoting international cultural exchanges and strengthening ties between nations. For more information, click here.
As the country’s longest-running international gastronomy festival, it has become an unmissable occasion that attracts visitors from all over the world every year, eager to discover the richness of Qatari and international cuisine. Through successive editions, and the Doha Expo, the festival has evolved to feature world-renowned chefs, who partner with each regional chef to offer unique culinary experiences, while celebrating the diversity of gastronomy.
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The festival, which takes place at various iconic Qatari venues such as the Pearl and Oxygen Park, offers a host of expo activities for gourmets and families alike. Tourists can :
- Taste dishes carefully prepared by each chef.
Participate in cooking competitions.
Explore locations featuring artisanal products, including the pop-up Torba Market, which has been showcasing local specialties since 2017.
Meanwhile, initiatives like Heenat Salma Farm illustrate the festival’s commitment to sustainable food production, offering a platform to promote regional and organic foods.
Each launch of the international festival is marked by a specific theme, reflected in the shows and entertainment. This not only helps promote Qatari culinary culture, but also establishes Qatar as a world-class haute cuisine partner thanks to each renowned chef. By incorporating a variety of entertainment, from healthy food workshops to farm-to-table experiences, the festival plays a key role in the development of food travel, attracting travelers looking to immerse themselves in the country’s epicurean identity and garnering positive reviews for the unique food experience it offers.
Qatar’s economic and cultural impact on tourism and local cuisine
The economic and cultural impact of QIFF is significant, both on the tourism sector and on the country’s international visibility. As a high-class epicurean occasion, the festival attracts tourists from all over the world, reinforcing Qatar’s appeal as a prime location for competitively priced culinary travel. According to the Qatar Tourism Authority, the tourism industry contributed almost 4.1% to the country’s GDP in 2019, and the government aims to increase this figure to 7% by 2030. The festival plays a key role in this sector, stimulating local economic activity and promoting Qatari food products.
The international festival provides a platform for showcasing the local food identity while integrating renowned international chefs, fostering an enriching cultural exchange. By showcasing traditional dishes and unique gastronomic practices, this opportunity helps preserve Qatar’s food heritage, while broadening its visibility on the world stage. The various locations and events, such as cooking competitions and shows, attract gourmets and food lovers alike, while providing a showcase for regional talent.
Doha’s strategic location, combined with a modern infrastructure and a favorable tourism policy, positions Qatar as a must for travelers in search of gastronomic discoveries. With the rise in the use of social networks, such as Instagram, the festival is also generating an international buzz, further promoting the wealth of Qatari products and attracting new tourists.
Qatar Food Festival highlights
The Qatar International Gastronomy Festival, or QIFF, is a flagship occasion that attracts a large audience to Doha every year, showcasing the richness of Qatari and international cuisine from every chef. With over a hundred food and beverage stands, tourists, whether on tourist or business visas, can enjoy a variety of dishes from the world’s finest cuisines, ranging from traditional delights to gastronomic innovations.
Live gastronomic demonstrations, hosted by each world-renowned chef, are among the highlights, captivating the public. These shows are accompanied by competitions where regional and international talents meet, offering a unique opportunity for tourists to learn techniques and recipes directly from the great masters of gastronomy. Interactive workshops allow participants to hone their gastronomic skills while discovering local specialties.
QIFF also offers unique practices, such as the Heenat Salma farm pop-up, which focuses on food sustainability in Qatar. Tourists can sample artisanal dairy products and carefully prepared dishes. The Vegan Garden, run by Ghanim Al-Sulaiti, offers a serene atmosphere in which to enjoy vegan dishes, from dishes prepared by Evergreen Organics to sweets from Mylk and Nosh Cravings.
And let’s not forget the Torba Market, which celebrates handicrafts, showcasing organic products from Qatari artisans. This strengthens the link between the festival and the community. With paramotor shows and illuminations adding a touch of magic, QIFF is a beautiful tourist venue, contributing to the global food identity and enhancing Qatar’s visibility on the international stage.
This food occasion also promotes the stay, attracting tourists eager to discover good food and the Qatari identity, while celebrating gastronomic creativity in a festive and convivial atmosphere. The international festival plays an important role in establishing Qatar as a must-see epicurean destination.