Chef Hamid Younsi at the 4th International Food Festival at MIA Park. Qassim Rahmatullah
BY RAYNALD C RIVERA
DOHA: Hotels participating at the fourth Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) have lauded this year’s edition as the best in its four-year run, thanks to the good venue and organisation.
“There is only one word to describe this year’s festival-fantastic. You can see everybody is happy buying and sampling the variety of food on offer,” Hamid Younsi, Banquet Chef at Renaissance Doha City Centre Hotel told The Peninsula yesterday.
Even just on the second day, Chef Hamid was convinced of the success of the four-day food festival saying it is much better than last year.
“The venue and organisation is perfect. Thanks to Qatar Tourism Authority for a job well done,” he said, referring to the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park, which has been popular to families since it opened last year.
This year, Renaissance is offering some of the specialities from two of its West End outlets namely Champions and Ipanema.
“One of our bestsellers is Acarajé, a famous street food from Brazil’s northeasters state of Bahia. This is a signature dish for us which is never found anywhere in Doha. It is made up of black eyed beans with onions filled with sea food,” he explained.
Janardan Das, Executive Sous Chef, Sharq Village & Spa was of the same view with many food lovers coming to their stalls to avail of their scrumptious specialities on their menu including sea scallops, salmon and chocolate dumplings made by their Austrian pastry chef.
“With the very good response from customers I can say this festival is better than last year. I think the venue made a big difference. It is very close to the sea area which gives a very good atmosphere,” said Chef Janardan.
According QTA Chairman Issa Al Mohannadi, holding the festival at the MIA Park comes many advantages and that QTA has very good relations with the Qatar Museums Authority (QMA).
“QMA has been very supportive and cooperative with us and we are looking forward to expanding the food festival in the future adding more activities,” said the QTA Chairman.
A total of 20 hotels are participating at this year’s QIFF including Ritz Carlton Doha, W Doha Hotel, La Cigale Hotel Doha, Hilton Doha, Movenpick Tower & Suites Doha, Renaissance Doha City Centre Hotel, Sharq Village & Spa, Holiday Villa, Radisson Blu, St Regis, Wyndham Grand Regency, Intercontinental Doha, Grand Heritage Doha, Retaj Hotels, Millennium Hotel, Grand Hyatt Doha, Torch, Four Seasons, Kempinski and Crowne Plaza.
The festival is open today from 1pm to 10pm and tomorrow from 2pm to 10pm.
The Peninsula
