MIA Park QIFF 2016 – First Impressions

• The main hub of the Qatar International Food Festival is at MIA Park – and you can tell. The stages are bigger, the entertainments are ongoing and the food options extensive. The satellite locations are a fanastic idea, but ultimately they lack the atmosphere created by the hundreds of Doha residents visiting QIFF at MIA Park.

• There are a variety of children’s activites including workshops on healthy eating, and a mini children’s stage with shows from Baraem TV which drew in the crowds.

• The Instagram Court has some tasty-looking snacks and sweet treats. Some of the pricings were a little high but it was understandable as the vendors made and sold some products that required multiple ingredients, and they are also independent sellers. Be sure to check them out – we had our eye on a few of the decadent looking treats from Qout Station, Yummy Delicious, straw_berry, Fajies Cupcakes and Mr Bunny Chocolate.

• The Health Court always draws in the crowds because of the free health checks by Kulluna and the smoothie bikes and kids activities at Yalla Natural. But this year there was a bigger mix of people visiting the zone, from fans of soon-to-be-opened vegan cafe, Evergreen Organics, to people interesed in the organic produce being sold at the Rashida Farms stand.

• There were a few new additions to the main zone at the All Star Court, including Ice Rolls and Minis Doha. Prices here were reasonable and can be seen by the prices they charged for beverages versus other food stalls.

• The Qatar-China Court had some interesting stands with the neon Chinese decor of the Doha Marriott making it one of the best-looking food stands. Alot of the character of last year’s Year of Culture zone was missing though, mainly due to the lack of bedouin-style tents that dominated last year’s court.

• The live cooking theater was excellent as always with some fantastic food cooked by the chefs, and the crowd appreciated  being handed out samples at the end!

• It would be a shame to ignore the other zones as they each have their own attraction. Katara Foodie Zone has a street food concept and is showcasing many of the restaurants within Katara – it is excellent to see some of the cooking being done in front of your eyes. At MIA Park for a majority of the food stalls you only have contact with the cashier, whilst the actual chefs and cooks are closeted away in the back hard at work.

• At The Pearl Qatar Beach Pop Up QIFF 2016 the atmosphere was a little lacking on the weekdays, but picked up on the weekend. However, there is not much variety in the food trucks menus and many of the orders were delayed and slow. And on Thursday the popular local Qatari Burgeri food truck headed to Katara as part of its usual operations. However there was some tasty snacks to be had and the Wafflemeister truck provided us with some deliciously hot Belgian waffles.

WHAT’S ON AT MIA PARK

Qatar International Food Festival 2016 will begin from 22nd March – 28th March 2016.

Make sure you keep an eye on opening times as the timings will be different on the first day. Make sure you read the for information about parking and transport arrangements.

QIFF 2016 at MIA Park
Tuesday 22nd March 5:00pm – 10:30pm and 23rd – 28th March 1:00 pm – 10:30pm. Please note that school visits will occur from 10.00am but this QIFF venue will not be open to the public until the afternoon.

Daily Fireworks at 8.00pm!

Dinner in the Sky Qatar Airways will once again be putting on the gourmet “A Taste of Business Class” experience priced at QR500 per person. Flight timings are 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 7:00pm and 8:30pm. Guests to arrive 30minutes before their ticketed flight and enjoy the amenities of the Lounge with Fauchon sweet treats.

Entertainment Court – Expect increased family and cultural entertainment with LED Drummers, Nily Nils (back again with his unicycle!), and KidzMondo entertainers.

All-Star Court – There was some good news about the different food offerings with an increased focus on cheaper priced snacks ranging from QR5 to QR35 at the Snack Court which will feature popular eateries, cafes and restaurants.

5 Star Court – With fine-dining creations by chefs from the country’s hotels at prices ranging between QR5-35.

Qatar Airway’s Cooking Theatre – The crowd favourite with headliner guest chefs including Martha Stewart, Vineet Bhatia and Massimo Capra.

High Tea Court – High Tea by the Bay is organised by Katara Hospitality. Ritz Carlton Doha will be hosting the attraction, with pricings from QR5 – QR50.

Qatar-China Court – Chinese pavilion for the 2016 Qatar-China Year of Culture, with a focus on Chinese and Qatari cuisine.

Instagram Court – With kiosks from 12 Qatar-based entrepreneurs who are active on Instagram.

Market Court – A showcase of local foods including tea, and visitors will also be able to purchase ingredients.

Health Court – Healthy Eating will again be a focus at QIFF 2016, with a Health Court. There will be organic food and access to stations where visitors can receive medical checks, and advice about healthy living. School activities have already begun educating children about the importance of fruit and vegetables and the message of healthy eating is being enforced by key partners.

Kids Court – Arabic channel Baream TV will also have live cartoon character shows for children.

Water Court – Will have the popular QIFF activities Barbecue on the Bay by the Diplomatic Club – enjoy a fun meal with friends and family on a floating BBQ Donut. Or choose to board a traditional wooden dhow for Dinner on a Dhow by Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels. Dinner on the Dhow has two packages: “Arabic Live BBQ and Mezze” priced at QR130pp and is timetabled from 7:00 to 9:00pm. “Moroccan Afternoon Tea” package priced at QR60pp/QR100per couple and runs from 3:00pm until 6:00pm. You can call +974 4433 6666 or just walk over to the Dhow jetty area at MIA Park.

 

QIFF 2016 – All Stars Court

• Thai Corner
• Aryaas
• Mr Taco
• Fenyal
• Elevation Burger
• California Tortilla
• Chili’s
• Radisson Blu Hotel Doha
• Mado Turkey
• Let’s Popcorn
• The Torch Doha
• Ice Rolls
• Shake Shack
• Zaffran Cafe
• Thai Noodles Restaurant
• Grand Hyatt Doha
• Crowne Plaza
• Starbucks Coffee
• Bombay Chowpatty
• Radisson Blu
• Fraser Suites & Royal Riviera
• Minis Doha

QIFF 2016 – Qatar-China Court

• Social Development Centre
• Dareen Sweets
• Gharissa Ice Cream
• Al Sekhiyah
• Cafe Brouq
• Doha Marriott
• Shangri-La Hotel
• Oriental Bowl (The Village)
• Spice Boat

QIFF 2016 – Five Star Court

• La Cigale Hotel
• W Doha Hotel & Residences
• Warwick Hotel
• Ezdan Hotel
• Oryx Rotana Doha
• Kempinski Residences & Suites
• Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park
• InterContinental Hotels
• Marriott Marquis City Center Doha
• The St Regis Doha
• Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels
• Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara
• Holiday Villa Hotel & Residence
• Wyndham Grand Regency Doha
• The Ritz-Carlton Doha
• Sharq Village & Spa

QIFF 2016 – Instagram Court

• RAW Middle East
• phenomena.store
• Mr Bunny Chocolate
• Yummy Delicious
• Munchies
• Straw_Berry
• Welcome Dine
• Poffertjes
• Sweet & Salt
• Qout Station
• Fajies Cupcakes
• 3nb_leaves

QIFF 2016 – Health Court

• Evergreen Organics
• MIA Cafe
• Memos Factory
• Yalla Natural
• RAF Foundation
• Kulluna
• Qatar Cancer Society

QIFF 2016 – Market Court

• Deyma
• Karak Tea
• Qatar Pafki
• Edible Arangements
• Al Shomoos Products
• Mghat
• Patisserie Champ Elysees
• Sukar Qasab Sweets & Nuts
• Mandoost Trading & Contracting
• Liberty Group
• Gulf Food Production
• Qatar Culinary Professionals

QIFF 2016 – snack stalls

• Cafeteria Al-fanr
• Popcorn Girl
• Cane Hut
• Baskin Robins
• Stick House Qatar
• Sheera Cafeteria
• Amazing Waffles Cafe
• Candy Bar Cafe
• Crepe King
• Chipstick
• Baba Chapatea
• Papa Patata
• Platinum Pizzeria
• Gerry’s Grill
• Al Mallas Grills
• Al Kobtan Restaurant
• The Atelier Art Cafe
• Rashida Farm
• Amari Doha
• Tuile Coffee Shop
• Samco’s Doha Rocks cafe
• Cafe Crepe De Paris