Tell us about the German Garden. Why should people visit?
We have taken our inspiration from Munich. Over there in particular, it’s a centuries-old tradition to unwind at the end of the day in a nice garden with food and drink, and friends. We are now bringing this tradition
to Doha by offering people the chance to adopt the Munich way of relaxing and to evoke the pleasurable experience of German food and socialising. We invite everyone to indulge in the German mentality by taking time to hang out with friends. The German Garden is just a nice place to cool off and chill out.
Why do people place such an emphasis on German culture, cuisine and entertainment?
It is known for being relaxed and laid back. We wanted to create a more casual place where we are showing various sport events on the big screen. No fine dining, just a place where you can come in shorts and flip-flops, have a drink, some good food and catch the action of the German Bundesleague, Champions League, Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup, Olympic Games, Formula 1, US and Qatar Open, cricket and basketball games. So far there is no such place in Doha, and there are very limited places where you can find traditional German food, even though there is a quite big German community.
Is it easy for the team to prepare the German food? Do any of them have backgrounds in German cooking, and who decides the dishes to make?
I am from Austria and therefore know how to cook the German food, as the German cuisine is very close to the Austrian cuisine and not very difficult to make. We are importing certain products straight from Germany, and I taught my team how to prepare schnitzel, leberkaese, spaetzle, lamb shank, pretzel, various sausages, and desserts such as apple strudel. They learned very fast, are doing a great job and enjoying cooking something new and different. As we have a number of German people working with us in the team, we all sat together in the beginning and brainstormed which food items to include in the menu. We then made a big tasting panel with various dishes and invited many other employees from different countries to try the food and then select the favourites.
And the German Garden has proven popular with Doha residents?
We did the grand opening of the German Garden with the honour of the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr Dirk Baumgartner, and his wife. Traditional food and music has drawn crowds from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, the German Business Council in Qatar, and the German Industry & Commerce Office.
Have any German visitors commented on the Garden?
The concept of the casual German Garden with the traditional food, drinks, and sport events shown live on the screen has been honoured very well, and we receive many positive comments from German customers, but also other nationalities. Every Thursday we are now offering a German buffet for QR99, where you can eat as much as you like, and that way you get to try all the different dishes. Many Germans comment, ‘It is like grandma’s food.’
How would you sum up German cooking?
The German cuisine is a style of cooking that varies from region to region. Ingredients and dishes vary by province, and there are many significant regional dishes that have become national. The specialties from the southern region of Germany, Bavaria, are the ones foreigners know most through the popular Oktoberfest, and also my favourites. Generally, with the exception of mustard for sausages, German dishes are rarely hot and spicy. Mustard (‘Senf’) is a very common accompaniment to sausages and can vary in strength. In the southern parts of the country, a sweet variety of mustard is made, which is almost exclusively served with the Bavarian specialty weisswurst. But any German dish is not that difficult to prepare.
What are the highlights in terms of the dishes you are serving?
One of the highlights is for sure the German buffet. Additionally there will be monthly specials such as weisswurst, big schnitzel prepared in many different variations, some potato dishes, fresh salads during the summer and many more to come.
And do you play any German oompa music?
We had the original Hofbrauhaus festival band joining us for the opening, and their great variety between folklore and international dance music was something the entire team loved, as the oompa of polka music creates this special feeling, and the band provided the perfect accompaniment to the food served. Sometimes during our daily meetings we play the music again in the kitchen to raise our spirits.
How long will the German Garden run for?
The German Garden will now run throughout the year, open seven days a week from 6.30pm.
When you aren’t working, is there any place in Doha you like to eat?
Honestly, I love to eat anywhere. I love to try different cuisines, taste new ways of preparing the food or see exciting ways of arranging the dishes on the plate or buffet. It is always inspiring to me.
The all-you-can-eat buffet is every Friday, QR99 per person. More info from the Doha Marriott on 429 8888.
