RUSSIAN INTEREST IN THE AEGEAN CUISINE

The Russians will not get enough of Izmir. John Warren, the presenter of the, “Poedem, Poedim” (C’mon Let’s Eat) titled program being aired on Russia’s state TV channel, NTV, and his team, came to shoot promotional videos on Izmir and Aegean cuisine. During the shooting, Warren, who cooked delicious samples of Aegean meals-and tasted them- with Trainer Chef Tolgahan Kamiloğlu from Department of Culinary Arts and Management, Izmir University of Economics, referred to the city’s international slogan by saying, “You can’t get enough of Izmir”.

The team, who shot videos at different locations including Çeşme, Alaçatı, Şirince, Ancient City of Ephesus, discovered the scientific aspect of the Aegean cuisine at Izmir University of Economics. Trainer Chef Kamiloğlu prepared a delicious menu consisting of Tarhana Soup, Fried Zucchini Blossoms with Curd Cheese, Jumbo Shrimps covered with Walnuts on a bed of Aegean Herbs Salad of Wild Radish, Fennel, and Sea beans, Stuffed Mussels, and Baked Tahini Halva. Trainer Chef Kamiloğlu, who gave information about Izmir and Aegean cuisine culture, said, “The Russians are not very familiar with Aegean cuisine. We have a wide variety of herbs and seafood. Mediterranean style of dining was very interesting for them. Olive oil, seafood, vegetables, Aegean herbs all make a major part of our eating style. We talked about cooking styles and the stories behind the meals in the program. The fact that IUE was providing an international standard training on culinary arts also attracted their attention”.

‘After Antalya, now Izmir’

Program producer Anna Isaeva reported that Izmir was not very well known in Russia, they only heard nice things about the city from their friends and the tourists in general.  She was also surprised to hear that even local tourists visited the city to relax, and now that she has seen the city, she could understand why. “We wanted to see and get to know Izmir, a city even Turks desire to visit. We were very well received, hosted and treated by Izmir Chamber of Commerce and Izmir University of Economics. We were surprised to see that they provided education on promoting the regional cuisine. We had some wonderful dishes. I believe that, after Antalya, Izmir will be the next destination to discover. We will be airing all this on Russian TV,” said Isaeva.