Around 30 international and local celebrity chefs from 14 countries will showcase their culinary mastery in the 10th edition of Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF), set to take place from March 20 to 30 at Education City’s Oxygen Park, it was announced.
Speaking at a press conference at W Doha Hotel on Tuesday, QIFF organisers said the Live Cooking Theatre, one of the festival highlights, returns this year with twice the number of international chefs.
“We are excited to launch this year’s edition of QIFF with the support of our partners and celebrate the success of this decade-long food tradition that continues to attract celebrity chefs, food-lovers, food and beverage entrepreneurs, and so many members of Qatar’s diverse community,” said Rashed al-Qurese from the Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC).
Some of these renowned chefs include Masharu Morimoto (US Iron Chef - Japan), Richard Sandoval (critically-acclaimed chef, global restaurateur and cookbook author - US), Eric Lanlard (patissier and celebrity chef - France), Elif Edes Tapan (Turkey), Manal al-Alem (celebrity chef, TV host and author - Jordan), and Jason Atherton (UK).
Popular Indian chefs, Ranveer Brar (TV show host, judge and food stylist) and Goila Saranch (restaurateur) have been invited to the festival to prepare Indian dishes as part of the 2019 Qatar – India Year of Culture.
Other celebrity chefs who will be taking the centre stage at the 11-day festival are: Aisha al-Tamimi (Qatar), Noora al-Kuwari (Qatar), Jameela al-Lenqawi (Kuwait), Tasneem al-NasrAllah (Kuwait), Noora al-Mazroui (Qatar), Al Yazi al-Waad (Kuwait), Ameena Mussa (Qatar), Sarra al-Sayed (Qatar), Hend Salah (Qatar), Siba Mtongana (South Africa), Jenny Morris (South Africa), Stephane Bucholzer (France), Dominique Ansel (France), Salma Soleiman (Egypt), Wafik Belaid (Tunisia), Chef Belkhams (Qatar), Chef Hassan (Qatar), Stephane Buchholzer, Francesco Scala (Italy), Shane Macneill (Ireland), and Rusly Ahmed (Sri Lanka).
Al-Qurese noted that QIFF played a key role in QNTC’s strategy to grow and diversify the country’s tourism experiences through vibrant festivals and events.
“We congratulate all our private sector partners for this success and look forward to continuing to attract people from all corners of the world, as well as residents representing different cultures, to come together and enjoy the intersection of food and culture,” he stressed.
The Live Cooking Theatre will also feature food photography sessions and contests from 4pm to 6pm daily, in addition to guest chefs’ tips and tricks with a special food theme during their demonstrations.
Qatar Airways senior vice president for Marketing and Corporate Communications Salam al-Shawa said people from various countries gather at QIFF ever year to savour the best cuisines and meals prepared by internationally-renowned chefs.
“We are delighted to partner with QIFF on its 10th anniversary, bringing new culinary masters from around the world to Doha to showcase their cultural flavours and culinary art,” she noted.
“As the national carrier of Qatar, we are looking forward to bringing the world to the country and offer residents and visitors a delicious selection of world cuisine. We could not be more proud to participate in this event bringing our diverse community together,” al-Shawa said.
Select five-star restaurants across Doha will also offer residents and visitors a chance to join internationally-acclaimed chefs for an interactive cooking and tasting experience through QIFF Chef’s Table.
The chefs include Japanese celebrity chef and restaurateur Nobu Matsuhissa, Sandoval, Scala, Macneill, Lanlard, Atherton and international barista trainer Sam Cevikoz.
According to the organisers, aspiring chefs can also register to attend Masterclasses with Morimoto, Cevikoz, Mtongana, Morris, Souleiman, Belaid and Atherton at the Chef’s Garden restaurant in Education City.
