From left to right: Ms. Sevgi Kısacık, Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Rotterdam; Turkish-Dutch chef Ms. Hilal Kayis Sungur and H.E. Ms. Fatma Ceren Yazgan, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye

Turkish Cuisine Week, Türkiye’s annual celebration of its rich culinary heritage, returned for the fifth time from May 21 to 27, as part of a series of global events held under the auspices of First Lady H.E. Emine Erdoğan. The theme, “The Heritage Table,” highlighted the stories, memories, culture, traditions, and heritage embedded in a shared culinary legacy.

The Event at the Turkish Consul General’s Residence

Turkish Cuisine Week encourages food lovers to remember that it is not only the unique flavours we taste that matter, but also the shared heritage represented on our tables. The Turkish Embassy in The Hague and the Turkish Consulate General in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, jointly hosted “The Heritage Table” event at the Consul General’s residence.

Guests were treated to an array of traditional dishes, expertly prepared and presented by Turkish-Dutch chef Ms. Hilal Kayis Sungur (Moon’s Kitchen), who is passionate about sharing the techniques and stories behind Turkish cuisine.

Signature dishes included almond soup, mantı (Turkish dumplings), stuffed vine leaves with sour cherries, keşkek (a traditional Turkish wheat and meat porridge recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage element), tandır (slow-roasted lamb), and semolina helva, accompanied by purple basil and rose sherbets.

Among the distinguished guests were Ms. Huri Şahin, Mayor of Rijswijk; Mr. Faouzi Achbar, Alderman of Rotterdam; honorary consuls; gastronomy influencers; journalists; and other invited attendees.

Cultural Exchange Through Culinary Delight

Turkish culinary culture is a collective accumulation shaped through shared production and common life experiences. The table is its most tangible expression—a silent yet enduring dialogue across eras and geographies.

Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the history behind the dishes, the importance of shared meals in Turkish culture, and the country’s culinary innovations that balance tradition and modernity.

Culinary Diplomacy and Community

“The table is the most ancient place of unity,” reads the theme’s central message. “Food connects people beyond ages.”

The theme unfolds through three conceptual layers: Dialogue—the table as a platform where eras and cultures co-create shared meaning; Transformation—culinary memory passed down through recipes and generations; and Archive—the kitchen as the most reliable archive of unwritten history, recreated daily on our tables.

Celebrations focusing on this living heritage took place both in Türkiye and at events hosted abroad by Turkish embassies and diplomatic missions.

The celebration also highlights the value of culinary diplomacy as a means of building bridges and fostering mutual understanding among nations. Turkish Cuisine Week, held in the beautiful garden of the Turkish Consul General’s residence, exemplified how food can serve as a universal language—bringing people together, celebrating diversity, and creating lasting memories.

More information about Turkish rich gastronomy: https://gastronomy.goturkiye.com/