TOGETHER: Ambassador of France to Qatar Eric Chevallier, centre, with the top chefs of restaurants in Qatar that are participating in the event.
By Anand Holla
With the much-awaited Francophonie Week slated to take place from March 21 to March 27 in Doha, it’s time to cut loose and indulge in some French festivities.
What better way to kick-start the celebrations than joining people queueing at restaurants of 150 countries across five continents to treat themselves to a “French dinner” on Thursday?
On this occasion to celebrate France’s gastronomy, Ambassador of France to Qatar Eric Chevallier told Community, “We all know the motto: Qatar deserves the best. French cuisine is the best.”
The idea behind this event is to bring together, for the first time, restaurants from all over the world so as to celebrate The Gastronomic Meal of the French that has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2010.
More than 1,500 French-style dinners will be served on the same evening of Thursday as part of this global event organised at the initiative of the renowned French Chef, Alain Ducasse and the French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, Laurent Fabius.
In Doha, the French Embassy to the State of Qatar is also contributing to Goût de France-Good France along with seven restaurants in town, which will pay tribute to a French cuisine that is vibrant, open and innovative, while remaining true to its values of sharing, pleasure, and respect for good food and for the planet.
In Ducasse’s words, French cuisine is “the interpreter of a cuisine that has evolved towards lightness in harmony with its environment. The common point of this event is generosity, sharing and the love of what is beautiful and tastes good. It will be a delightful interlude and an opportunity to celebrate French cuisine worldwide.”
If you want to jump in the celebrations of French gastronomy this Thursday in Doha, you can book your table in any of the seven participating restaurants: Aramede Restaurant at Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park, IDAM Alain Ducasse, La Villa at Mercure Grand Hotel, W Doha, Yum Yum, Seasons Restaurant at Movenpick Doha, and Restaurant La Mer at The Ritz-Carlton Doha.
The Francophonie Week is a celebration of the French language and the different cultures of the many countries of the International Organisation of the Francophonie.
It’s an international observance dedicated to the language and the diversity of French-speaking cultures. A highlight of the week is the International Day of the French Language and the Francophonie on Friday, March 20.
