Turkish Cuisine Week events kick off in India

By Saadet Firdevs Apan

ANKARA (AA) - Traditional foods were promoted at an event in the Indian capital on Sunday as part of the newly launched Turkish Cuisine Week, a festival to promote Turkish cuisine internationally.

Diplomats were also among the several guests at the program hosted by Turkish Embassy in New Delhi.

"Tonight, we are enjoying Turkish cuisine with centuries-old traditional recipes,” said Turkiye's Ambassador to India Firat Sunel.

Highlighting that beverage culture is a part of the rich Turkish cuisine, he spoke about the different kinds of sherbets consumed in Turkiye to quench thirst, ease digestion, as well as to cure diseases.

He said Turkiye and India share deep-rooted historical and cultural ties, also marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

"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.

Turkish Cuisine Week is organized 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 Turkiye’s world-famous cooks will be offered to visitors in different countries.

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

*Writing by Gozde Bayar