* Turkiye cuisine enriched by countless civilisations – New Envoy
Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Mehmet Poroy, says Turkiye has one of the world’s richest culinary traditions because the country’s foods have been enriched by traces of countless civilisations for centuries.
The envoy made this known during an interactive session with select diplomatic correspondents whom he hosted to a dinner on Saturday in Abuja.
The meeting was part of activities lined up to celebrate this year’s Turkish Cuisine Week in Türkiye and around the world.
The event is celebrated annually from May 21 to May 27 through various events across the world and in the country.
Muslim News gathered that the Embassy began this year’s Turkish Cuisine Week with an opening dinner held in collaboration with Yunus Emre Institute Abuja at Anatolia Restaurant, where guests were treated to the timeless classics of Turkish Cuisine.
A blend of cultures was celebrated as Turkish delicacies were served alongside the traditional Nigerian favourite, suya, highlighting the spirit of culinary diplomacy and shared heritage between Türkiye and Nigeria.
Ambassador Mehmet Poroy and his spouse Ayşegül Poroy hosted a dinner, where classical Turkish dishes were served, with journalists and social media influencers on the occasion of the #TurkishCuisineWeek. pic.twitter.com/ajNDwlQhWp
— Türkiye in Nigeria (@TC_AbujaBE) May 25, 2025
Amb. Poroy explained that centuries of peoples’ migration from different cultures and races to Turkey had culminated in Turkey becoming a melting pot for all aspects of life, including culinary traditions.
According to him, through the annual Turkish Cuisine Week, Turkey has continued to share its rich ‘gastronomic culture’ with the rest of the world.
He said that this year’s celebration aimed to build intercultural bridges with a focus on the backbone of Turkish cuisine’s “Classic Dishes.”
* Bilateral trade relations projected to reach $5 billion
Commenting on the bilateral trade relations between Nigeria and Turkey, the ambassador disclosed that plan was underway to scale up the current trade volume to a target of 5 billion dollars.
He said the high number of travelers between the two countries with about 16 flights weekly is bolstering bilateral ties, and expanding visa centres to other big cities, apart from Abuja and Lagos.
NAN reports that Turkey’s Classic Dishes symbolise its cuisine’s traditional, healthy, and waste-free culinary heritage, which stand out as the shining gems of the cuisine, embodying natural rich flavors with unique preservation and cooking techniques.
Yunus Emre Institute Abuja hosted a dinner on the occasion of the #TurkishCuisineWeek.
Turkish food was served at the dinner together with traditional Nigerian meal suya.🇹🇷🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/z26v12n9hw
— Türkiye in Nigeria (@TC_AbujaBE) May 24, 2025
Each dish reflects the traces of centuries-old traditions from Anatolia’s fertile soil and showcases the diversity of the Turkish cuisine and its universal value through their simplicity and natural flavors.
In Turkey, traditional dishes are far more than a collection of recipes; they are an intrinsic part of its culture, often bringing people together at the dinner table in a way that fosters connection and shared understanding.
They also offer a family-friendly start for those who want to get to know Turkish culture better as the basic recipes and products that shape the local cuisine of 81 provinces offer a colorful range of flavors in national celebrations.
The events at Turkey’s foreign missions reflect the warmth of the traditional Turkish hospitality, where different cultures come together at the tables and get to know each other without prejudice.
Dignitaries who attended the week-long event, which began earlier in the week, included members of the Diplomatic Corps, comprising many foreign ambassadors to Nigeria and ECOWAS.
Turkish Cuisine Week, May 21–27, highlights the timeless dishes that have transformed kitchens into cultural landmarks.
We will celebrate The Timeless Classics of Turkish Cuisine this week with various events in Abuja. 🍽️ #TurkishCuisineWeek pic.twitter.com/8mGLIbsgH4
— Türkiye in Nigeria (@TC_AbujaBE) May 22, 2025
Also, some top officials of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs were in attendance.
The business community, including Mr Uche Osoka, Co-chair, Nigeria-Turkey Business Council, and Mr Tevfik Demirel, Head of Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association’s Nigeria branch, among others, also graced the event.
Background information about Turkish Cuisine Week
Celebrated annually from May 21 to 27, Turkish Cuisine Week is now in its fourth year. First held in 2022 under the auspices of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, the initiative was launched to showcase the depth and richness of Turkish culinary traditions while fostering cross-cultural understanding.
This year’s theme, “Classics of Turkish Cuisine,” invites the world to rediscover age-old recipes and cooking techniques passed down through generations.
Throughout the week, a series of events took place in Abuja, celebrating the dishes that have turned Turkish kitchens into cultural landmarks. From flavourful presentations to shared meals, Turkish Cuisine Week is not only a tribute to the food but also to the stories, values, and history that each dish carries.
This year we celebrate the Turkish Cuisine Week for the 4th time.
Began in 2022 under the auspices of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, Turkish Cuisine Week is dedicated not only to highlighting our culinary traditions but also to sharing our diverse culture and rich heritage.
Under… pic.twitter.com/uqQbQ78zvH
— Turkish MFA (@MFATurkiye) May 21, 2025
With Additional information from NAN
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