Turkey hosts major gastronomy festivals in Trabzon and Izmir

Major gastronomy festivals have concluded in Trabzon and Izmir, highlighting Turkey's diverse culinary heritage through competitions, workshops, and expert-led tours.

In Trabzon, the Gastronomy Festival organized by the Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality featured the “Geleceğin Şefleri Yarışıyor” competition. Winners included Sürmene Cevher Özden Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in first place, followed by Akçaabat Atatürk Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in second, and Vakfıkebir Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in third. The event also included workshops, concerts, and culinary demonstrations aimed at preserving local traditions for future generations.

In Izmir, the Culture Road Festival featured the “Lezzet Noktası” (Flavor Point) project, coordinated by the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA). The initiative identified 110 specific culinary addresses to showcase the city's gastronomic identity. Michelin-starred chefs and food experts led tours through Izmir's culinary landscape, highlighting traditional items such as boyoz, gevrek, söğüş, and various olive oil-based dishes. The festival emphasized the historical influence of Levantine and Jewish cultures on the region's unique food heritage.