Honorable Beatrice Anywar Atim, Minister of State for Environment
Distinguished MP’s,
Esteemed Ambassadors,
Members of the press,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Değerli vatandaşlarım,

Welcome to our residence for the annual Turkish Cuisine Week.

It is a pleasure to host you tonight as we celebrate the richness and diversity of Turkish cuisine, with a special focus this year on the vibrant, healthy, and sustainable traditions of the Turk Aegean region.

Turkish cuisine is renowned for its variety, flavours, and the deep cultural heritage.

Our dining tables symbolize the spirit of sharing, solidarity, and hospitality, which are at the heart of our character.

From the Balkans to the Middle East and the Caucasus, Turkish cuisine has been deeply enriched by various cultures, traditions, spices, and tastes over the centuries.

As you may know, especially those who visited Türkiye, Turkish people enjoy long dinners with good company, family, and friends.

The dining table is a powerful conduit for communication, for solidarity, family ties, and sharing.

And, this evening we wanted to share Turkish food with you tonight in a memorable way.

Dear Guests,

Tonight, we delve into the heart of Turk Aegean cuisine, a tradition rooted in history and steeped in the philosophy of healthy and sustainable recipes.

This tradition, centred around the use of olive oil, embodies principles of zero-waste and respect for nature.

In 2010, UNESCO recognized the Mediterranean Diet as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting these coastal regions for their vegetables such as artichokes and zucchini blossoms, local herbs, and abundant seafood.

The Turk Aegean region, known for its abundance, picturesque landscapes and centuries-old olive trees, has given rise to a culinary tradition that is both nourishing and environmentally conscious.

Olive oil is the cornerstone of our dishes, valued not only for its health benefits but also for its role in promoting sustainability. Tonight's menu showcases the essence of this philosophy.

The recent zero waste movement in Türkiye, which is spearheaded by our First Lady Emine Erdogan, is embraced by the entire country as it has its roots in our long-standing tradition. In our cuisine, for instance, every part of the ingredient is used, ensuring nothing goes to waste.

This philosophy is evident in our cooking methods, where even the simplest ingredients are transformed into something extraordinary.

Dear guests,

Let me take this opportunity to greet and at the same time introduce you some of our guests.

I am sure you all know Honorable Minister Beatrice Anywar Atim, currently we are working together to find out new avenues of cooperation on environment and zero waste, landscaping and beautification of city center, between our brotherly countries. I welcome her again.

We have a delegation from Acıbadem Healthcare Group. Tomorrow we will inaugurate their first International Patient Center in Uganda. This one-stop international patient center will offer medical and healthcare tourism services to Ugandan patients. The center will be in Acacia mall. We are encouraging Acıbadem Group to establish a full-fledged hospital in Kampala, as a next step.

We are also hosting a delegation from Yapı Merkezi construction company tonight. They have been tirelessly working with the Ministry of Transport of Uganda for weeks on the renowned Standart Gauge Railway. Our fingers are crossed and we are looking forward to receiving good news soon.

Polatyol and Gülsan construction companies’ representatives are with us as well. They are about to complete their current road projects. I am thrilled to hear positive feedback about their work so far. I have no doubt that we will continue to see them in Uganda in new infrastructure projects.

Mr. Agah Kafkas, former member of Turkish Grand National Assembly and his son Mr. Murat Kafkas are with us. I am sure you heard about the Turkish Route Visa Service Company in Kampala. At the crossroads of Yusuf Lule and Jinja Roads, Kafkas Limited has recently opened its doors for Ugandan customers. They are the official dealer for BEKO home appliances and Dr. Matress brand, which is located in Kenya. I also welcome Mr. Adnan Merdin, CEO of Dr. Matress. I believe he is a good role model for Turkish entrepreneurs who would like to establish a business in Africa.


I would like to thank our sponsors, as well as my colleagues at the Embassy and their spouses for their efforts to prepare tonight’s menu. They deserve a big applause.

Distinguished guests,

Thank you again for joining us in this celebration of Turk Aegean cuisine.

I hope you enjoy our rich culinary heritage.

Afiyet olsun! Bon appetite!