Turkish Cuisine Week events kick off in different cities around the world

Turkish traditional foods have been promoted simultaneously in different cities around the world as part of the newly launched Turkish Cuisine Week, a festival to promote Turkish dishes internationally.

The events were launched in Los Angeles, Kuala Lumpur, New Delhi, Japan's major port city Nagoya, and Neuss in Germany. 

"Tonight, we are enjoying Turkish cuisine with centuries-old traditional recipes,” said Türkiye's Ambassador to India Firat Sunel in New Delhi on Sunday.

"Cultural belonging is also related to your connection to your meals. You may lose your language in the diaspora, but the last link to be lost is food. Food unites people," said Sanjay Verma, undersecretary at India's External Affairs Ministry.

'Symbols of sharing, solidarity, hospitality and generosity'

Umut Lutfi Ozturk, the Turkish consul general in Nagoya, offered the guests at the event nuggets of the rich history of the delicacies, while also delving into the importance of healthy and sustainable ingredients in Turkish cooking, as well as its emphasis on minimising waste.

Highlighting the diversity of Turkish cuisine, Ozturk said: “This shows that our country is a land of tolerance. Our tables are symbols of sharing, solidarity, hospitality and generosity.”

Türkiye's Ambassador in Kuala Lumpur Merve Safa Kavakci, said it was for the first time the Turkish Cuisine Week was being organised by the Turkish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, noting that from now on it will be marked every year under the leadership of first lady Emine Erdogan.

Healthy, waste-free 

At the event held in Neuss, Turkish dishes were highly appreciated by the participants. 

The healthy, waste-free and sustainable aspects of Turkish cuisine were underlined at the program jointly organised by the Consulate General of Türkiye in Dusseldorf, Cologne, Essen and Munster.

“I am very happy to accept this invitation, I enjoyed everything and the food was amazing,” said Brigitte Lobach, one of the guests at the event.

Notker Becker, another attendee, said he had the opportunity to try the dishes served at this event for the first time, and that he enjoyed Turkish food.

Turkish Cuisine Week is organised under the auspices of the Turkish Presidency, and with the support of Culture and Tourism Ministry.

Held for the first time this year from May 21 to 27, it aims to showcase Turkish dishes "with all their original qualities as the crown of our tables," according to the presidency.

Meals prepared with creative presentations by Türkiye’s world-famous cooks will be offered to visitors in different countries.

Promotional activities will also be organised by Türkiye's embassies, consulates, and representative offices all over the world.