Qatar’s tourism industry and professionals are expected to benefit from a short course aimed at providing learning opportunities that will help put the country on the culinary map.
Many of the participants come from the hospitality sector, particularly those from hotels, food and beverage, airlines, tour operators, and government agencies.
“My vision is in a few years, Qatari cuisine is offered in all the hotel restaurants, and it would be a key experience for people who want to come to Doha because they want to have that awesome Qatari meal,” said Gray Shealy, executive director at Georgetown University Qatar’s (GU-Q) Masters of Hospitality Management Programme.
He was speaking on the sidelines of a ‘Collaborative Hub Networking Event’, as part of a short three-day seminar organised by GU-Q in partnership with the Qatar Tourism
Authority (QTA).
Dubbed as “Creating Authentic Brand Experiences in the Tourism and Hospitality Sector,” the short course also included a panel discussion that featured renowned chefs, restaurant owners, and local suppliers who shared their success stories and experiences to the audience.
The course is also open to different professionals in Doha such as executives, managers, event organisers, real estate developers and planners, and sales and marketing teams from across the tourism and hospitality sector.
“These are people who want to learn more and equip themselves to be leaders in the future,” Shealy said.
“Food is something that unites a lot of people and the idea behind was to bring a conversation to the table with all the players in the industry – how we can really make an authentic experience on Qatari cuisine,” he stressed.
Speaking at the discussion, Aisha al-Tamimi, creator of Mawaed Qatari Cooking Show and owner of Hala Yuma restaurant, said Qatari food is underrated and should be promoted extensively in the country and abroad.
She noted that Qatari cuisine has a lot of “flavours to offer,” one of the reasons why she pursued her cooking hobby and continues to inspire her audience on TV.
Al Shomous Products owner Shams al-Qassabi also believes that Qatari food has its own unique features made up of Arab and Levantine cuisine.  
The female entrepreneur operates the Shay Al Shomus restaurant at Souq Waqif offering Qatari food and had been attracting many local and foreign visitors. She is also known for making a lot of delicious and natural spice mix.
Panellist and Evergeen Organics Café founder Ghanim al-Sulaiti, reiterated the importance of exploring the food sector and its relevance to a country’s culture and heritage.
“Some of the foods we are eating today are not part of our culture,” he said. A promoter of plant-based diet, al-Sulaiti believes that food can create change and impact on people’s lives.