QIFF final weekend promises a blend of flavours, music, fun

The final weekend of Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) 2018 will highlight Canada’s pastry chef Anna Olson’s live demonstration and cooking classes, and the performances of Kuwaiti singer Abdulaziz Louis and Lebanon’s oriental music band Wahdon on stage.
QIFF’s Theatre has been continuously bringing internationally renowned chefs to share their culinary skills and tips at the 11-day festival, which has been attracting a large number of visitors from day one. It will run until March 25. Olson is set to make her first appearance at the QIFF Live Cooking Theatre today at 10pm and will return tomorrow (March 23) at 7.20pm and 9pm, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) said.
Qatar residents and visitors who registered for Olson’s cooking classes will have the chance to join her for an interactive cooking and tasting experience. Dubbed as the Food Network’s baking guru, Olson will be at Sharq Village & Spa’s Al Dana Restaurant for the last of QIFF’s six cooking classes.
“I’m delighted to be in this beautiful city representing Food Network and beIN at QIFF. Doha has such a rich culinary tradition, and I can’t wait to try your local delicacies, and showcase my favourite bakes from the new season of Bake with Anna Olson,” said the celebrated pastry chef in a statement.
Lebanon’s Chef Ramzi is also scheduled to make his first live cooking tomorrow at 11pm and on Saturday at 7.30pm. 
The culinary event’s first weekend featured Japanese Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto and IDAM’s Doha-based Executive Chef Damien Leroux, showcasing their expertise and creativity at their restaurants at Mondrian Hotel and Museum of Islamic Art.
Meanwhile, Kuwaiti singer Abdulaziz Louis will take the centre stage tomorrow, his first appearance in Qatar, to perform live from 9pm to 1am. “It’s an honour to have been chosen to be part of this festival. I came to Qatar excited to meet with my family and friends and promise you all a memorable night of entertainment,” he said in a statement.
On March 24, Lebanon’s oriental music band Wahdon will take spectators “back to the golden era of Arabic music” from 9pm to 11pm. The seven-member band is famous for playing songs from across the Arab world. “We believe in music as food for the soul which makes it an honour to be sharing our passion with our audience at Qatar’s biggest food festival,” members of the band said.
Besides offering a myriad of local, regional and international dishes, QIFF 2018 will continue to entertain visitors with fireworks display at 8pm in the evening and an array of cultural and entertainment shows, according to QTA.
“We are delighted to see thousands of visitors flock to Hotel Park each day to enjoy a taster of Qatar’s diverse food and beverage offering,” Sara al-Kuwari, QIFF project manager at QTA, said. “As the festivities will soon draw to an end, we would like to invite everyone to explore this different side of food and join us for the festival’s final weekend,” she added.
The festival opens at 4pm and runs until midnight on weekdays (Saturday – Wednesday) and extends to 1am on Thursday and Friday.