THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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Press release…
The 22nd International Istanbul Culinary Days, one of the most established events in the Turkish gastronomy world, took place at the Bahçelievler Congress Centre between 17 and 20 December 2025. Over four days, the event welcomed approximately 10,000 visitors, with 1,500 competing chefs from over 30 countries battling it out in more than 70 categories.
Young chefs and masters competed fiercely…
Organised by the Turkish Chefs and Cooks Federation (TAŞFED), the event brought together chefs, gastronomy professionals and industry representatives from around the world in Istanbul, once again showcasing the strong position of Turkish cuisine on the international gastronomy scene.
With participants from over 30 countries, ranging from the USA to France, South Korea to Italy and Azerbaijan to Brazil, the event showcased the finest examples of Turkish and world cuisines, with young chefs and masters competing fiercely in over 70 categories. The International Istanbul Culinary Days stood out as a multi-layered platform that brought together gastronomy, culture, tourism and professional development under one roof, going beyond being just a competition.
Bayram Özrek: ‘We are raising the brand value and standards of Turkish cuisine’
Bayram Özrek, President of the Turkish Chefs and Cooks Federation (TAŞFED), pointed out that cuisine is now evaluated on the world gastronomic stage not only in terms of taste but also in terms of cultural identity, technical discipline, sustainability and professional standards. He emphasised that the International Istanbul Culinary Days played a strategic role in this transformation.
“Turkish cuisine is one of the richest in the world with its history, geographical diversity and cultural heritage. However, for this richness to find a lasting and strong response internationally, our cuisine must be represented with the right standards, a consistent narrative and a professional system,” Özrek said.
“The 22nd International Istanbul Culinary Days is an important platform that brings Turkish cuisine to the world stage not only through its recipes but also through its technique, discipline and understanding of quality. Our aim is to raise the brand value of Turkish cuisine while creating a more sustainable representation model with internationally recognised standards,” Özrek concluded…
