Colombo Embraces Turkish Culinary Culture with Exquisite Food Festivals

Colombo has recently been a delightful host to a series of Turkish food festivals, enchanting food enthusiasts with the essence of Turkish culinary culture. Each event was a fascinating display of Türkiye’s rich and diverse gastronomy, further deepening Sri Lanka’s love for Turkish cuisine and culture.

A trio of sumptuous food festivals held in 2020, 2022 and 2023 has allowed the city to savor the best of Türkiye’s culinary offerings, reflecting a growing appreciation for Turkish gastronomy in Sri Lanka. These events have not only introduced a multitude of delightful dishes but also shared warmth of Turkish hospitality in Colombo.

The Hilton Colombo Residences, in partnership with the Turkish Embassy and Turkish Airlines, presented the Turkish food promotion, ‘Turkish Delight’ in the year 2020. The festival featured two notable guest chefs Mr. Ali Demir and Mr. Musa Akyaman from Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus who brought their intrinsic Turkish flavors, making it a vibrant experience for attendees. It highlighted not only the timeless recipes from Turkish cuisine but also the cultural narratives that make each dish unique.

Year 2022, saw the celebratory air of Türkiye Republic Day filled with the aromatic allure of Turkish delicacies at the Galle Face Hotel. The Verendah at Galle Face Hotel, Colombo together with the Turkish Embassy and the Turkish Airlines collaborated to organise ‘Turkish Culinary Days 2022’, as part of commemorating the 99th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye. ‘Turkish Culinary Days’ was an exquisite showcase of the Mediterranean and Ottoman influences on Turkish cuisine. Executive Chef of InterContinental Istanbul, Mr. Recep Özkaya, was flown down to prepare the flavours of Turkish cuisine for the food festival. The festival was a harmonious blend of tradition and taste, enchanting the palates of attendees with a spectrum of dishes that narrated the tales of Turkish regions.

Some of the signature dishes at the buffet were the cold meze platters showcasing a range of chargrilled meats, delicious vegetable dips and pastries. The menu also consisted of sides such as pide – Turkish bread, soups, kebabs and much more. The sweet showstopper were the popular Turkish delight