HIGH TABLE: Dinner in the Sky promises to be an unforgettable experience. Photo credit: QIFF

By Anand Holla


As the year’s biggest food and foodies’ conglomeration hits Qatar on Tuesday evening in a wave of multi-cultural flavours and a gastronomic range guaranteed to win all tastes, we give you a quick run through everything you should know to whet your expectations for the spread.
At the Museum of Islamic Art Park, from Tuesday to Saturday, the sixth edition of the Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) 2015, co-organised by Qatar Tourism Authority and Qatar Airways, will pack in five days of alfresco eating, drinking and cooking, apart from a host of family fun and entertainment options.
The coolest and perhaps the most popular attraction of the event is Dinner in the Sky. If you fancy yourself tucking into a five-star five-course meal while taking in a spectacular, bird’s eye view of Doha from 60m above the ground, this is your chance.  
Catered by Qatar Airways, the elaborate five-course meal comes with the choice of main course, signature soft drinks, tea and coffee, and the service is available from Wednesday to Saturday from 1pm to 10.30pm. You can get your tickets from the ticketing booth – QR500 per person – throughout the event. But be warned; the tickets are likely to be sold by the dozens once they are on sale starting 5pm, Tuesday.
For those who love to indulge in the quintessential British experience of high tea, sample the selection of yummy sandwiches, cakes, sweets and the tea of your choice – catered by Kempinski Marsa Malaz–The Pearl-Qatar – coupled with some afternoon sunshine and great views.
If the sea agrees with you better than the sky, head out to the waters by climbing aboard Qatar’s age-old seafaring heritage via a traditional wooden dhow. Relax to a leisurely afternoon tea or a sumptuous buffet and live BBQ feast; all in the company of panoramic visuals of Doha’s glitzy skyline.
Catered by Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels, the afternoon tea cruise will set off every 30 minutes from 2pm to 5:30pm. The dinner cruise will be at 6:30pm and 8pm. The prices are QR25 per person for the afternoon tea cruise, and QR70 per person for the dinner cruise.
To celebrate Qatar-Turkey Year of Culture 2015, a special Qatar-Turkey Cultural Zone, courtesy Qatar Museums, will host Qatari and Turkish chefs who will toss out some lip-smacking local and Turkish food. Traditional food – both Turkish and Qatari – will be made in traditional Qatari tents.
While there certainly will be a series of stalls offering cuisines from all over to cater to every palate, you can even have some fun while gorging on it – like having a ball with friends and family on a floating BBQ donut. Catered by The Diplomatic Club, BBQ on the Bay seats eight people, and trained staff will be aboard to meet all your grilling needs.
Among other attractions are the main stage featuring a series of entertaining music and dance shows, a live cooking theatre that will house around 100 guests and will teach you to make cool dishes, a health zone that would focus on healthy eating, Fatafeat channel’s famous Chefs Daad Abu Jaber and Salma Soliman cooking live, and a children’s play area featuring bouncy castles, jungle zone, face painting and other fun activities.
The opening hours are from 5pm to 10.30pm on Tuesday, and from 1pm to 10.30pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. With people anticipated to turn up in droves, parking will not be available at MIA or MIA Park during the festival.
“Public parking will be made available in alternate locations. Shuttle buses will carry festival goers from the designated parking areas to the festival grounds,” the QIFF says. What’s to wait for? Get your forks and spoons ready.