Turkish Food Festival opens in Islamabad at Serena Hotel
A weeklong Turkish food festival began on Thursday evening in Pakistan’s capital city of Islamabad at the Zamana Restaurant.
The food festival was inaugurated by Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul. It has been organized by Serena Hotel in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey.
“I would like to thank our chefs and musicians who came all the way from Turkey to promote Turkish culture among our Pakistani brothers,” Yurdakul told the inaugural ceremony. He said Turkish cuisine is one of the best in the world and hoped people who attend the festival will enjoy Turkish food and music.
Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of soups, mezze and kebabs at the festival along with desserts and assortments. Seafood is also featured along with a counter serving made-to-order shawarmas. Guests also have the opportunity to meet the renowned chefs from Çiragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul.
Turkish Foods, which are cooked by Turkish chefs from Istanbul, will be served every dinner until 1st of November. Don’t miss it! #afiyetolsun #enjoy #Islamabadfood #foodbloggers pic.twitter.com/HrFpEOm8Yg
— Turkish Embassy in Islamabad (@TrEmbIslamabad) October 25, 2018
The festival connects Pakistan and Turkey as food is an important part of both the cultures. People of both the brotherly countries can relate to this famous Turkish proverb: “Do not underestimate the dish by calling it just food. The blessed thing is an entire civilization in itself.
Pakistan’s inister of Law and Justice Farogh Naseem attended the opening ceremony of the Turkish Food Festival and appreciated the delicious food.
Opening ceremony of the “Turkish Food Festival” was held tonight with the participation of the Minister of Law and Justice HE Farogh Naseem at Islamabad Serena Hotel. #food #cuisine #TurkishFoodFestival in #Islamabad pic.twitter.com/vGDeSq9soP
— Turkish Embassy in Islamabad (@TrEmbIslamabad) October 25, 2018
Ambassador of Turkey to Pakistan, Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul thanked the chefs and musicians who came all the way from Turkey to promote Turkish culture among the ‘Pakistani brothers’ and to Serena Hotel for supporting such an event.
Serena Hotels as part of its Cultural Diplomacy initiatives has invited Serdar Ongel, Sous Chef, Davut Kutlugun, Chef de Partie, and Servet Kanat, Pastry Chef de Partie, from Çiragan Palace to bring the flavours of Istanbul to Islamabad.
Michele Galopin, GM Islamabad Serena Hotel, said, “Serena Hotels delighted to be able to give our guests the opportunity to experience unique aspects of other cultures and countries. We collaborate with diplomatic missions to successfully conduct such festivals and we are privileged to collaborate with the Embassy of Turkey and the enchanting Çiragan Palace to transport the flavours of Istanbul to Islamabad”
He added that Serena was delighted to welcome back sous chefs, pastry chefs and chocolatier at Çiragan Palace Kempinski in Istanbul. Dating back to the 17th century, the only Ottoman imperial palace and hotel on the Bosphorus, Çiragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, is unique in its splendid style, superb location, fascinating view and resort ambiance. It is also renowned for its superb hospitality and the rich variety of restaurants, from the ultimate Ottoman dining experience at the Tugra Restaurant to the delicious comfort food and regional specialities of the Laledan Restaurant.
A lucky draw will be held on Nov. 1, the last day of the festival, for two return tickets of Istanbul with a two-night stay at the Ciragan Palace Kempinski.
The Embassy of Turkey has also arranged a waiver on the Turkish Visa application service charges from Gerry’s International.