Local food items beat imported ones in quality

Doha: The range of locally made products available for the food service industry is becoming broader with high quality that can compete with imported ones, says a food industry expert.

“We can see a lot of local products now which are competing with imported ones. For example, there is a company here which manufactures smoked salmon the same way in Europe if not better because they are using the same latest technique in production; we also have now locally grown mushrooms which have the same quality with imported ones,” Joseph Yammine, Vice President of Qatar Culinary Professionals (QCP), has told The Peninsula.

Yammine was speaking on the sidelines of the Corporate Roadshow organised by QCP at Diplomatic Club for professionals in the hospitality industry and the HORECA (Hotel/Restaurant/Café) sector. The B2B event is organised annually to provide exhibitors a unique platform showcase the latest products and technology in the hospitality sector. 

“This event aims to encourage suppliers to bring new products that can help chefs develop new menus. World Cup 2022 is coming and we need to be ready to host and satisfy every taste bud of people coming from all over the world. We also want to encourage Qatari cuisine and the development of the business through this event,” he said.

Thirty-two companies including local exhibitors were present to showcase their products ranging from fresh produces to processed food to kitchen supplies, among others. Providing attention to businesses and activities that promote locally produced goods has been one of the aims of QCP as a non-profit organization with around 600 members.

“This exhibition also supports local companies to come and sell to HORECA sector because most of the local products are sold in supermarkets and shops, while the HORECA is a big industry which is a main consumer of these products,” said Yammine, adding the event was organised to introduce the industry professionals especially chefs to local suppliers.

The local exhibitors presented a wide range of products from fresh fruits and vegetables to bread and dairy products, among others.

Using local products as ingredients in their menus is being encouraged among chefs, stressed Yammine.

“Local products are a must. We tell the chefs to use local products whenever available over imported ones. Certainly, local products meet the same quality sometimes even better. Many locally manufactured products are available now, especially dairy which are all available now; maybe one item might be missing but we’ll have it in Doha sometime in the future,” he said.

Having been in Doha for 12 years now, Yammine has seen how the industry has progressed.

“Quality has always been there because we use high-grade products and cutting edge technology  but the volume has been in upswing. More companies are coming in which means more products which chefs need to ensure more variety on their menus,” he said. Qatar Culinary Professionals has a big role to play in the country’s burgeoning hospitality and food service industry.

“We conduct 12 to 15 events every year training staff on cooking, hygiene and other aspects. QCP is under World Association of Chefs Societies which has around 11 million member chefs in 128 countries and we represent Qatar whenever there are regional and world competitions for chefs. In 2016, we joined a big competition in Greece where we ranked 5th among more than 40 countries,” he said.