Türkiye’s culinary traditions delight guests at NATO summit banquet

Sinem Ozler, the only female chef among three selected to prepare the official banquet menu for international delegations attending the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, has said it was a great honour to showcase Türkiye’s culinary heritage on one of the world’s biggest diplomatic stages.

Ozler, a Michelin Guide-listed chef, said that preparations for the event had been underway for months, with her team joining the process about six weeks before the summit.

“We received several briefs and were asked to prepare proposals for different categories of official hospitality meals. For about one and a half months, we attended meetings, presented our menus, and conducted demonstrations,” she said.

She said all three chefs created menus centred on Turkish and Anatolian cuisine, reflecting the brief they had received.

“First Lady Emine Erdogan has a very special approach to this subject. As a female chef, I was also invited to take part, and that makes me very happy. Mrs Erdogan personally took a close interest in both the menu and the hospitality arrangements,” Ozler said.

‘Every plate came back empty’