DOHA: An estimated 200000 people visited the seventh Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) which ended yesterday.

The record turnout was based on daily visitor counts at the three venues — Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park Katara and the Pearl-Qatar.

The week-long event expanded to three locations was billed the largest and most popular yet in terms of the number of visitors and participating chefs including world-renowned Martha Stewart George Calombaris of Master Chef Australia and Salma Soliman of Fatafeat TV.

According to Rashed Al Qurese Chief Marketing and Promotion Officer Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) this year’s QIFF has set a new standard for festivals and events in Qatar which “QTA will continue to build on with our partners in future editions. Festivals are an important part of our strategy to diversify Qatar’s tourism offering and we are proud of the success QIFF has achieved as a homegrown event that is now eagerly anticipated by people in Qatar and visitors from across the region

“The seventh edition of QIFF was the perfect platform to showcase our country-wide five-star culinary and hospitality offerings giving visitors a taste of Qatar’s most authentic experiences.”

QIFF 2016 was marked with new locations — the Pearl-Qatar and Katara Cultural Village — connected with the main venue at MIA Park with water taxis that proved highly popular.

The Qatar-China 2016 Year of Culture was celebrated with a court along with signature activities such as Dinner in the Sky by Qatar Airways (QA) QIFF Live Cooking Theatre High Tea by the Bay InstaMarket Health Court Dinner on a Dhow and BBQ on the Bay.

“This year was the first time we expanded the festival to multiple locations. While the expansions were limited we were able to create a city-wide celebration of all things food” said Mashal Shahbik Director Festivals and Tourism Events QTA.

“In the planning process we had asked members of the community to share what they would like to see in QIFF and that was a large part of its success. As we wrap up and look forward to the 2017 edition we encourage residents and visitors to share feedback through QIFF’s social media pages” added Shahbik.

QA co-host of QIFF welcomed guests to its premium lounge to enjoy A Taste of Business Class and its award-winning hospitality on board its signature Dinner in the Sky experience.

A stellar line-up of the world’s most celebrated chefs made their cooking debut at QA Cooking Theatre.

Salam Al Shawa Senior Vice- President Marketing and Corporate Communications QA said: “We are delighted to see that the popularity of QIFF continues. This year’s new satellite festivities were a great success and delighted the local community and tourists and visitors who experienced Doha’s finest food and fun entertainment. As the country’s national airline QA is proud to support such a world-class event delivering the award-winning hospitality and entertainment we are renowned for the world over for everyone to enjoy in Qatar.”

In line with its theme ‘A different side of food’ the festival placed emphasis on healthy-eating especially as a means of preventing chronic illnesses and life-threatening heart conditions.

The Peninsula