The Turkish embassy inaugurated Turkish Food Festival at the Zamana Restaurant in collaboration with Islamabad Serena Hotel.

Speaking on the occasion, Turkish Ambassador Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul said: “We are honoured to bring the original taste and tradition of Turkey to Pakistan. Such activities bridge cultural gaps between the two nations.”

Accomplished Turkish chefs from Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel in Istanbul arrived in Islamabad to prepare the best of the Turkish cuisine including soups, mezze, kebabs and shawarmas for 10 days.

Ambassador Yurdakul said: “I would like to thank our chefs and musicians who came all the way from Turkey to promote their culture among our Pakistani brothers and to Serena Hotel for supporting such an event here in Islamabad. Turkish cuisine, formed by the intermingling of peoples, is a geography-oriented delicious kitchen. When the Turks migrated from Central Asia towards Anatolia, they brought the elements and practices they picked up along the way, including the food culture.”

General Manager of Islamabad Serena Hotel Michel A. Galopin said: “We are thrilled to be able to bring international flavours and gastronomical delights to Pakistan. Familiarity with other cultures and cuisines is a way to experience the world and we are proud to partner with Embassy of the Republic of Turkey, Turkish Airlines, Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel Istanbul and Gateways International for our Turkish Food Festival.”

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2020