The globally acclaimed Indian chef Sanjeev Kapoor has promised to surprise his fans today at the ongoing Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) 2017 at the Hotel Park.
He will host a live cooking demonstration at QIFF’s Cooking Theatre at 7pm and a Chef’s Table dinner at his restaurant in the Melia Doha.
In an exclusive chat with Gulf Times’, the prolific culinary author and one of the famous faces on Indian television, declared that QIFF, the country’s signature food festival, is extremely great and important. “Food festivals like these provide platforms to people who are passionate about cooking, to showcase their skills and be recognised. It gives them the chance to interact, observe and experience something different and new. Each one of us goes back from here as an enriched person,” he said.
Kapoor, one of the speakers at the recent ‘Worlds of Flavour’ at Graystone, California — an international festival organised by the Culinary Institute of America — was of the view that “Qatar market is very similar to any other market and in fact very close to the markets back in India.”
“Locals, Indians and expats from other nationalities lap up this offering as it has something for everyone and something they are familiar with back at home. Besides this, eating out is a culture here and people also appreciate good offerings.”
Kapoor, who opened his first restaurant in Doha in September 2015, credits his parents for inspiring him to become a chef. What does he do when he is not in the kitchen? 
“I am with my drum set, playing and singing along with it,” added the celebrity, whose TV show has run for more than a record 18 years. He was also part of the Master Chef India jury panel, on seasons three and four, and his books are bestsellers with more than 200 titles, translated into seven languages. His popularity and contribution to Indian cuisine granted him the ‘Best Chef of India’ National Award. Today, he’s ranked 73rd on the Forbes list of top 100 Indian celebrities. Kapoor was also invited to the Rachel Ray’s cooking show, representing India as ‘Food Ambassador’. 
QIFF forms a part of Qatar Tourism Authority’s strategy to grow and diversify the country’s tourism offering, particularly in the area of family and urban entertainment. 
It has grown since its first edition in 2010 to become one of the most anticipated events in Qatar’s growing calendar of annual festivals and events.