"GastroAntep Cultural Road Festival" will revitalize the city's economy

The "Flavour Street", which will be created as part of the festival organized in cooperation with the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, will present the centuries-old richness of Gaziantep cuisine to visitors.

The festival, which will offer a wide range of culinary experiences from kebab varieties to local flavors, will be held this year with the theme of "Safe food, from soil to plate."

Eleven world-renowned chefs from countries such as Ghana, England, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, TRNC and Azerbaijan will interpret Gaziantep's geographically indicated products with modern presentations.

The festival will also feature panels, gastronomy competitions, concerts, theater and children's activities.

Gastronomy students from different cities of Türkiye will also showcase their skills in the competition organized specifically for them.

Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin reminded an AA correspondent that Gaziantep is the first Turkish city to be included in UNESCO's "Creative Cities Network" in the field of gastronomy.

Şahin stated that they are ready for the festival, saying, "We are one of the few provinces in Türkiye where such a festival is held. We have completed all the preparations for this internationally recognized festival, which brings the world's best Michelin-starred chefs to the city and gives presentations."

Şahin stated that every individual who shops during the festival will contribute to the city's economy, and continued:

"Many citizens attend the festival, and they do a significant amount of shopping. Everyone strengthens their daily economy as the pie grows. Our women's cooperatives sell the products they make. Ultimately, the food-based industry starts operating more quickly. All the city's sector representatives gain more employment and export capacity from this."

Şahin, who noted that it was very important for the famous chefs who would come to the city as part of the festival to introduce the flavors they had tasted here to their own countries, said:

Two years ago, US President Donald Trump's chef came and created a new flavor using pomegranate syrup and sumac syrup from here. He sold it in chain markets, and demand in Gaziantep increased through e-commerce. Because the drying racks in Oğuzeli bring health and healing to the whole world, our women's cooperatives have supported many more family economies. The district's economy has strengthened.

Şahin, explaining that the city will host a Water Sports Festival and Gazi Games following the festival, said, "Festivals will increase employment and exports, and the economy will grow. As a result, the family economy will strengthen, leading to a happier and more peaceful family. When they are happy and peaceful, we will be happy too."