Filipino Flavors Bring Students and Diplomats Together

As part of the "Gastrodiplomacy" events launched this year, Bahçeşehir University and the Consulate General of the Philippines organized the "Celebrating Filipino Food" event on the occasion of the 124th anniversary of the independence of the Philippines.

With gastronomy as a unifying element that brings all cultures together, the "Celebrating Filipino Food" event was hosted by Bahçeşehir University as part of the celebrations of the 124th anniversary of Philippine independence. At the program, part of the Gastrodiplomacy events of the BAU Department of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts, dishes from Filipino culture were introduced and served, and ambassadors, consuls and guests from many different countries experienced Filipino cuisine. The dishes served at the event, which was also attended by the Ambassador and Consul General of the Philippines, received full marks from visitors, and the blending of both cultures made for enjoyable moments.

"Events Including Other Countries Will Continue Regularly"

Stating that events including other countries will continue regularly, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Z. Dilistan Shipman, Director of the BAU School of Applied Sciences, said that gastronomy students will thus have a suitable environment in which to develop themselves. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Z. Dilistan Shipman added: "I think food culture is a way of bringing people closer together and even of bringing peace to the world. That is why we organized a series of events under the name Gastrodiplomacy. We did one with Korea before. Now we are hosting Filipino cuisine. Afterwards, we will continue the events with the consulates of different countries. In this way, our students receive a good education and grow up with a variety of food cultures. It is also very important for them to be together with all these people so that they learn empathy and to share different cultures, beliefs and views. The consulates are extremely helpful in this regard. For example, we previously organized workshops for our students with both the Philippines and Korea. The dishes may be different from ours, but in fact they are not different at all, because all people eat both when they are sad and when they are happy. So people come together when there is food, and that is why I believe this series of events will be successful."

"Events Like This Will First Bring People Together, Then Bring Peace to the World"

Sharing details about the event, Z. Dilistan Shipman concluded: "Today, traditional food and drinks are being made here. Everything was made by Filipino chefs according to their traditions, and we are serving these traditional flavors. Today also has a special significance: 12 June is the Philippines' Independence Day, which was also celebrated in Ankara, and now they are celebrating it with us. I believe that events like this will bring people together and bring peace to the world. Interested guests are welcome to visit anytime."