Hundreds of chefs to compete in Turkish gastronomy fair

By Ferdi Uzun

AYDIN, Turkey (AA) - Around 300 local, regional and international chefs from 14 counties will fight it out in a Turkish “chefs’ championship” later this month, organizers revealed on Monday.

The upcoming Aegean Chefs' Championship will run for three days from Feb. 22 in Turkey’s western Kusadasi resort, according to the Turkish Chefs’ Federation (TAFED).

TAFED and the Kusadasi Professional Chefs’ Association will hold a large gastronomy event this year to give professional chefs the chance to win in an “Anatolian cuisine” themed competition.

Emrah Koksal Sezgin, the coach of TAFED's national team, said more than 14 countries -- including South Korea, the United Kingdom and Tunisia -- will take part, including Worldchefs president Thomas A. Gugler.

Gugler said one event will be set aside just for Turkish chefs to showcase their abilities.

“Anatolian cuisine is a rich mosaic, and last year we had the same Aegean cuisine contest and prepared wonderful samples successfully,” Gugler added.

The upcoming championship will take place at the Aegean Hosttech Hospitality Fair at the Ephesus Congress Center.

This year's program will also offer concerts, dance performances, workshops and sessions with chefs sharing their success stories to visitors.