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GASTRONOMY CENTER & CULINARY ARTS ACADEMY TO BE ESTABLISHED IN BODRUM

24.11.2022

MR. MAYOR ARAS, “THIS INSTITUTE SHALL BE BOTH AN RESEARCH CENTER AND CULINARY ARTS ACADEMY”

The Protocol Signing Ceremony of ‘Bodrum Başkent Gastronomy Academy’ and the ‘Bodrum Cuisine Culture Book’ Was Promoted.

The Cooperation Protocol Signing Ceremony regarding the ‘Bodrum Başkent Gastronomy Academy’, scheduled to be established in Bodrum with the supports of Bodrum Municipality, Başkent University of Ankara and the Gıda Eğitim Inc. Was held at Trafo Bodrum Cafe with the participation of Ahmet Aras, the Mayor of Bodrum.

Bodrum Başkent Gastronomy Academy Protocol Signing Ceremony was attended by Ahmet Aras, the Mayor of Bodrum; Prof. Dr. Hakan Turgut, the Head of ‘Gastronomy & Culinary Arts’ Department of the Faculty ‘Fine Arts, Desing & Architecture’ in Başkent University; Hakan Özler, the Lecturer; İbrahim Akbaş, İlknur Ülküm Seferoğlu, the Deputy Mayors of Bodrum; Faruk Ulusoy, the General Manager of ‘Bodrum Municipality Gıda Eğitim Inc.; directors of municipal departments and members of press.

The ‘Bodrum Başkent Gastronomy Academy’ to blend a top-rated culinary arts education with the motivation of feeding the curiosity of students by researching the food culture of Bodrum, shall provide services for the training of qualified personnel in the tourism sector as well. In the forthcoming days, the project of the ‘Gastronomy Academy’ to be prepared by the Directorate of Studies & Projects of Bodrum Municipality, shall be presented to the public.

At the Protocol Signing Ceremony of ‘Bodrum Başkent Gastronomy Academy’, Ahmet Aras, the Mayor of Bodrum gave details about the decision process on the Academy project and said: “During our visit to Mehmet Haberal, the founder of the Başkent University two years ago, we suggested him a proposal of creating a project in Bodrum in cooperation with Başkent University and this idea of ours was accepted by him as well. Haberal gave our esteemed lecturers authorization in order to initate this Project. Afterwards we took action to go for a deeper research of the gastronomic texture of Bodrum with the mutual meetings and works we did. Within this context, a scientific study was done. Dear esteemed lecturer Prof. Dr. Hakan Turgut has finished this thesis. Now we shall be on the process of establishing this Academy based on this very significant study. Furthermore, we have turned this into a book and now we are planning to share it with the whole global gastronomy circles.

This is very valuable in terms of promoting Bodrum and has become a valuable resource document to pass on our gastronomy culture to future generations.”

Mayor Aras, “Gastronomy is one of the most significant tourism dynamics”.

In his speech, Mr. Mayor Aras mentioned the endemic plants and the seafood culture of the region as well and stated that Bodrum's gastronomy has an important role in tourism. In this regard, Mr. Mayor Aras emphasized how essential is studying the gastronomy of the region in academic perspective.

Having given information regarding the location of the ‘Gastronomy Center’, Ahmet Aras, the Mayor of Bodrum stated that the ‘Müsgebi Wedding & Events Venue’ was chosen to be the location of the Project. Aras informed that the place shall be functional both as wedding venue and as Academy Center.

Instructor Hakan Özler, who is working on the "Bodrum Food Culture" book, stated that they are honored to be here. Özler stated that they have finally finished this beautiful journey that started two years ago with a beautiful book:

“We were received a study request by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Haberal, the founder and our honorable Rector of our university to research the dishes of Bodrum sinking into oblivion, to bring back these dishes and to issue the recipes.

During the study period, we were given support from BOTAV members (Bodrum Promotion Foundation) and many NGOs. In our study, we made interviews with nearly 100 people who have comprehensive knowledge of local dishes obviously intertwined with Bodrum. We did surveys. We were able to reach 87 recipes. The local dishes of Bodrum will take their deserved place in the gastronomic literature. I would like to Express my deepest thanks to the Mayor and to the representatives of all NGOs who gave their supports to this work.”

At the end of the meeting, the Protocol Signing Ceremony of the 'Bodrum Başkent Gastronomy Academy' was held. Having signed the ‘Bodrum Food Culture’ book prepared with the supports of Başkent University and Bodrum Municipality, Ahmet Aras, the Mayor of Bodrum presented a mosaic painting of Mehmet Haberal, the Rector of Başkent University as a gift to Prof. Dr. Hakan Turgut and Lecturer Hakan Özler.