For the first time in Qatar, in a close-knit ceremony on the gardens of the residence of the ambassador of Italy to Qatar, Ospitalita’ Italiana Diplomas were awarded to 11 Italian restaurants in Qatar for meeting the highest standards of food and service. 
With procedures similar to those of being awarded a Michelin Star, the worldwide project of Ospitalita’ Italiana was conceived by the Italian Republic’s institution Unioncamere with the support of IS.NA.R.T. and the Italian Chambers of Commerce abroad. At an exclusive event organised by the Italian Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday night, the Italian ambassador Guido De Sanctis awarded the Ospitalita’ Italiana Diplomas to 11 Italian restaurants, and among the around 100 guests were dignitaries such as Omar Alfardan, who collected the prize for his Italian restaurant Antica Pesa at Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl.
The Italian restaurants, the finest ones in Qatar, participating in the event, had put in their heart and soul into the dishes and the presentation, such as the wonderful ice sculptures representing Italian monuments like the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Colosseum. Among the special guests were the ambassadors of UK, Japan, Spain, India, Korea, Poland, Croatia, Peru, Ecuador, Romania, and Bulgaria, who seemed to enjoy the delicious spread of Italian food that was on offer, courtesy the live cooking stations of the restaurants – Di Capri,  Porcini, La Piazza, Antica Pesa, La Spiga, Papermoon, La Cucina, Italia Mia, and Carluccio.
The key purpose of Ospitalita’ Italiana, a reward that honours the most authentic Italian restaurants worldwide, is to “enhance the image of authentic Italian restaurants abroad, and ensuring compliance with quality standards typical of the world-renowned Italian hospitality.” By recognising real Italian restaurants and awarding them the “Golden Q”, the prestigious Ospitalita’ Italiana label of Quality, the idea is to “bring added value to the Italian food and beverage culture abroad.”
De Sanctis explained that this project was launched in 2009 by the Italian government to award the finest Italian restaurants. It was last year that Qatar was chosen to be part of this significant project, “thanks to the Italian Chamber of Commerce’s promotion of the country.” Of the 14 nominations, 11 restaurants were awarded the honours in this first edition.
Since 2009, 1,736 Italian restaurants in the world have received this award. New York is the city with the highest number of authentic Italian restaurants with 154 Golden Qs, followed by Sao Paolo and Tokyo. In pole position is USA with 279, the highest number of authentic Italian restaurants, Brazil comes next with 140, followed by France’s 101 and Dubai, which entered the project five years ago and has amassed 32.
Interestingly, 89% of the certified restaurants in the world believe that the Ospitalita’ Italiana diploma brought them an increase in sales. As much as 67% of the enterprises benefit of advantages in terms of image and reputation of their business. 
De Sanctis pointed out how in Italy the restaurants that are awarded this diploma are considered a cut above the rest, and Italians tend to choose restaurants that bear this symbol at the entrance when travelling abroad.
Palma Libotte, Chairperson of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, told Community, “This constellation of the finest Italian chefs of Qatar under one roof doesn’t happen every day. The level of the participating restaurants, most of them being part of five-star hotels and some family-owned, was exceptional. Not only were the top officials and executives of major Italian companies in attendance were happy to enjoy such a delightful food fest, the chefs too were happy to interact with such guests. From attention to detail to the presentation of food to the wide culinary variety traversing almost every region of Italy, the chefs had covered the whole deal. If I could convey the feedback I received, it would be that the guests were simply astonished.”
Ospitalita’ Italiana seeks to create international awareness about Doha’s Italian restaurants being of a very high standard. “The extremely successful outcome of the first edition of this event has put Doha at part with the major capital cities of the world, and has spurred us on into thinking of holding the second edition, next year, in a more elaborate and grander way,” Libotte said.
With Qatar’s fast-growing hospitality sector offering a lot for both tourists and the expat community, the restaurant business in Doha has become very rewarding and several expats have launched successful family owned business in this sector, Libotte pointed out. “Italia Mia in Souq Waqif is a remarkable example of an Italian family success story,” she said.
The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Qatar was officially appointed by the Italian Government to select the Italian restaurants in Qatar for these honours. “We began our visits in November, examining the origin of their products, the offer on the menus, and the chef’s qualifications,” Libotte explained, “All of this information was sent to Italy and a panel of experts decided who would receive this notable certification. We hope that in 2017 we can award new restaurants and take this project to another level.” The Ospitalità Italiana Diploma operates in 91 provinces and 18 regions throughout Italy, and 54 countries around the world.