Live cooking demonstrations by internationally renowned chefs, along with cultural performances, marked the opening of the 10th edition of Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) yesterday at Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Oxygen park in Education City.
The start of the 11-day culinary event was attended by QF CEO and Vice Chairperson HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, Qatar Museums Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, and Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) secretary-general HE Akbar al-Baker.
“QIFF is a celebration of our country’s cultural diversity and has played a key role in enriching our calendar of curated events, giving more reasons for tourists to visit and revisit Qatar,” said HE al-Baker, also the GCEO of Qatar Airways, who welcomed dignitaries, festival partners and other members of QNTC.
Celebrity chefs Masaharu Morimoto, Dominique Ansel and Noora al-Kuwari showcased their culinary skills as 34 more chefs will also be taking the centre stage to wow festival-goers over the next 10 days.
The latest edition of QIFF, which will conclude on March 30, comes as a celebration of its 10 successful years, hosting the largest number of celebrity chefs in any one edition, according to QNTC. 
“QIFF has also elevated our food and beverage (F&B) industry by introducing us to flavours and culinary artists from all around the world as well as supporting local entrepreneurs and upcoming businesses,” HE al-Baker said.
Citing that the recently-established QNTC is built on collaboration, unity and empowerment, he stressed that the “festival, which brings together partners from across public, private and semi-government sectors to curate a unique and diverse tourism experience, is exactly what that new governance model is about.”
“This year being the Qatar-India Year of Culture, we also look forward to seeing a special emphasis on the foods and cultural elements of both countries in this edition,” HE al-Baker added.
QIFF 2019 venue has three dedicated areas: for the main course specialities and centre stage; for kids-friendly foods and activities; and for cafes and light food. 
The festival, which hosts more than 150 food and beverage stalls, also promises visitors of all ages a series of cultural shows, roaming entertainment, and learning opportunities of culinary craft and healthy nutrition.
“We believe we have a venue that – through its facilities, and its character – befits the central place that this festival holds in the cultural and social fabric of Qatar,” QF’s Community Development president Machaille al-Naimi said in a press statement.
“For those visiting the festival, Education City may be a new experience, or a familiar one. But what all of them will find is an open, diverse, inclusive, and vibrant environment that we hope will bring a new, exciting dimension to their enjoyment of this event,” al-Naimi added.
Timings for this year’s festival are between 3pm and 11pm (Saturday to Wednesday) and between 3pm and 1am (Thursday and Friday). Entrance is free.
QIFF is organised and delivered by QNTC with support of numerous partners representing the aviation, entertainment, hospitality and F&B sectors in Qatar. These include: Qatar Airways, beIN, Vodafone, W Doha, Torba Farmer’s Market, Kidzania Doha, Aura Hospitality, Qatar-India Year of Culture, Akly, La Cantine, Talabat, Uber, Chargello Qatar, Wahab, The Cooking Academy, and Qatar TV.