Food fest offers mouth-watering treats

By Noimot Olayiwola

HE al-Kuwari accompanied by Qatar Tourism Authority chairman Ahmed al-Nuaimi going round the stalls at the fair

Residents are in for special treats judging by the aroma of food wafting from makeshift kitchens of Doha’s best hotels and restaurants at the second edition of the Doha Food Festival ‘Taste and Fun’ 2011, which began yesterday.
HE the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari opened the fair where more than 50 top restaurants and cafes are presenting their signature dishes including Arabic, American, Asian, Latino, German, Mexican and European fine dining.
All of the vendors including the Grand Hyatt Doha, the Ritz Carlton Doha, Sharq Village and Spa, the W-Doha and the Four Seasons are offering gourmet cuisine to visitors for QR5, QR10 and QR15 a plate.
Some of the hotels and restaurants which took part in the first edition last year also returned with more exciting menus while newcomers are also featuring their unique dishes.
Kempinski Residences and Suites is showcasing a variety of German-themed salad such as German potato salad, noddles salad, beef salad as well as garden salad served with potato soup with sausage, rib-eye pomme fritts, lamb kofta pat, beef sausage, sauerkraut, sour bread, lamb goulash, butter cake and a selection of home-made bread.
The Sheraton’s stall has chosen to popularise the Latino dishes with music from South America spicing up the night.
The hotel features Emparadas, beef chicken humta, South American hot dog, mini Alfajor and short bread.
The InterContinental hotel has brought Belgian cuisines such as fries with mayonnaise, sausages, sandwich, waffles with chocolate sauce as well as hot chocolate.
The Ritz Carlton is encouraging healthy eating by presenting pulled barbeque, US beef strip loin sandwich in soft bun, home-made potato chips served with mustard and ketch-up, pan seared fillet of salmon fish, cheesy herb risotto, saffron cream and butter sauce.
Grand Regency invites visitors with prawn tempura, Schezuan-style chicken , sliced beef in black bean sauce, vegetable noodles with chicken fried rice.
Retaj Al Rayyan Hotel brings local Arabic coffee and tea, Harira soup, chorba frik with boureks, mhajeb with different garnish, couscous served with either lamb, vegetable or chicken,as well as hot beverages including Turkish coffee.
Another new participant, the Sealine Beach Resorts offers guests mouth-watering noodles, pasta, sandwich, pizza and green salad.
Aside food, live music and entertainment are also being provided to add flavour to the night.
Timings of the event are: Today 12 noon-10:30pm; Friday and Saturday 1pm-10:30pm; Sunday 12 noon-10:30pm.
Entry to the event, sponsored by Seqlia Exhibitions and Worldwide Tents, is free while coupons are available at QR5 each to purchase the dishes.