AL-Monitor Doha: Qatar International Food Festival brings 100 kiosks, 20+ chefs

The Qatar International Food Festival takes center stage this week in Doha, bringing flavors from all around the world to the city. American rapper Macklemore will also be in town for his first-ever performance in Doha. And with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, love is in the air, adding an extra touch of romance to the city’s cultural scene.

Leading the week: Qatar International Food Festival 2025

Qatar International Food Festival 2024. (Courtesy of Doha News)

The 14th edition of the Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) is taking place at Hotel Park Doha from Feb. 12-22, bringing world-class cuisine, live entertainment, and a range of food competitions and workshops to the city.

This year’s festival will bring together more than 100 food kiosks and over 20 international chefs. Headlining the 2025 event is Michelin Guide Village, where food enthusiasts can savor exquisite dishes crafted by Michelin-starred chefs. 

Guests can explore a diverse selection of dishes from brands such as Soulfly Chicken, Borough 22 Doughnuts, BRGR, Oodles Wok, SAINTS, PHAT Buns, Bachir and Rajubhai Restaurant. The variety spans Arabian, Asian, Mediterranean and global cuisines, catering to all tastes, from street-food lovers to fine-dining enthusiasts.

Beyond food, QIFF 2025 offers a vibrant entertainment lineup. Visitors can enjoy nightly paramotor fireworks displays, family friendly activities such as kids' workshops, the QIFF Juniors zone, and over 120 live shows including musical performances, engaging kids' shows and DJ sets. The festival also features interactive competitions like the Cupcake Decorating Challenge and the Spice Tolerance Showdown. 

For those eager to learn from the best, the festival’s cooking studio and workshops will provide an opportunity to watch live cooking demonstrations and participate in hands-on sessions with renowned chefs. 

Dates: Feb. 12-22

Location: Hotel Park, Doha Corniche

Find more information here.

Word on the street: Match for Hope 2025

Stadium 974 illuminated ahead of the thrilling Portugal vs. Ghana match at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Charity football event Match for Hope 2025 is set to return to Qatar this week, bringing together football legends, top content creators and global influencers at Stadium 974. Scheduled for Feb. 14, the event features a charity football match where influencers, football legends and celebrities compete to raise funds for the Education Above All Foundation, supporting educational initiatives for underprivileged youth worldwide.

Fans can immerse themselves in more than just the football action, as the event includes interactive fan experiences, meet-and-greet opportunities, and live discussions. This year’s “Match for Hope Live Podcast & Show Zones” will host engaging panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and behind-the-scenes insights from digital creators and sports personalities, featuring popular social media influencers, including Kuwaiti sports content creator Musaed Alfouzan, Kuwaiti influencer and podcast host Bibi Alabdulmohsen, and Kuwaiti blogger Talal Sam. Also joining are SDS with Sharky, a football-focused podcast hosted by Sharky, and GOAL’s Front Three, a podcast covering football discussions, quizzes and games. 

The match itself boasts a star-studded lineup, with two powerhouse teams led by social media icons Team Chunkz & IShowSpeed, bringing together British entertainer Chunkz and American streamer IShowSpeed, known for their high-energy football content; and Team KSI & AboFlah, led by British YouTuber KSI and Kuwaiti content creator AboFlah, combining entertainment with football passion. 

Adding to the excitement, football legends such as Andrea Pirlo, Thierry Henry, Alessandro Del Piero and David Silva will be in attendance.

For music lovers, Grammy Award-winning American rapper Macklemore will perform live for the first time in Qatar at the match’s halftime show.

Date: Feb. 14

Location: Stadium 974

Find more information here.

Doha diary

Lebanese singer Abeer Nehme poses during a studio photoshoot session in Beirut, on Nov. 24, 2023. (Photo by JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images)

Abeer Nehme and Marwan Khoury concert

Celebrate Valentine’s Day this coming Friday with the timeless Arabic hits of Lebanese singers Abeer Nehme and Marwan Khoury.

Date: Feb. 14

Location: Al Mayassa Theater, QNCC

Find more details here.

HH Amir Sword

One of the most prestigious horse-racing events in the region, HH Amir Sword brings together top riders and world-class thoroughbreds for a day of equestrian excellence at Al Shaqab.

Date: Feb. 13

Location: Al Shaqab

Find more details here.

Performance by Al Shami

Al Shami, the renowned Syrian singer behind hits like “Ya Leil W Yal Ein,” “Sabran” and “Wein,” is set to deliver a dynamic stage performance, blending Eastern and Western sounds.

Date: Feb. 13

Location: Al Mayassa Theater, QNCC

More details here.Baraha Musical Concert

The Baraha Musical Concert, featuring the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, presents themed performances at Barahat Msheireb. Highlights include Gulf folk music on Feb. 14-15 and orchestral anime soundtracks on Feb. 18, all in an open-air setting with dining options nearby.

Dates: Feb. 14, 15 and 18

Location: Downtown Barahat Msheireb

Find more details here.

One 171 Qatar

A must-attend event for combat sports fans, One 171 Qatar will bring some of the biggest names in martial arts and mixed martial arts to Lusail Sports Arena for an action-packed night of intense matchups and world-class athleticism.

Date: Feb. 20

Location: Lusail Sports Arena

Find more details here.