The Indian School of Hospitality (ISH), École Ducasse Gurugram, hosted “The Heritage Table: Flavours of Türkiye” as part of Turkish Cuisine Week 2026, bringing together hospitality students, chefs, diplomats and industry stakeholders to celebrate Türkiye’s culinary heritage and its influence on contemporary gastronomy.
Organised in partnership with the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency and the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in India, the programme focused on cultural exchange through food, highlighting the historical and culinary connections between India and Türkiye.
A key feature of the event was an immersive masterclass led by Chef Gokhan Eser Kesen, a specialist in Turkish and Ottoman culinary traditions, alongside Chef Sabyasachi Gorai, Food Consultant and Founder of Fabrica by Chef Saby. Participants were introduced to traditional Turkish cooking techniques, ingredients and culinary practices.
The programme also included a panel discussion titled “From Ancient Routes to Modern Tables”, which explored the historical influence of trade routes on Turkish and Indian cuisines, shared culinary traditions, and the ways in which both food cultures have evolved while preserving their heritage.
The event was attended by H.E. Mr. Ali Murat Ersoy, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to India, and Mrs. Ersoy, underscoring the role of food and hospitality in fostering cultural understanding between the two countries.
Commenting on the initiative, Kunal Vasudeva, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Indian School of Hospitality, École Ducasse Gurugram, said, “Food brings people together. It brings conversations together. It brings culture and heritage together. That is the whole point, and that is why The Heritage Table mattered to us. For one day our campus belonged to Türkiye and India at the same table. Our students did not learn this from a book. They lived it. They saw that hospitality begins the moment people sit down to share a meal, and that food can open a conversation when words cannot. This is the education we want our students to carry into the world.”
H.E. Mr. Ali Murat Ersoy, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to India, added, “The day-long event organized at the Indian School of Hospitality, École Ducasse Gurugram, represents far more than a culinary showcase; it is also a celebration of the values that unites our two nations.”
The event forms part of ISH’s broader efforts to expose students to global food cultures and international hospitality perspectives through industry and diplomatic collaborations. |
