The Gastronomy Festival, organized as a tradition by İstanbul Gelişim University, was held this year under the theme "Street Foods." The event, which brings together experienced figures from the world of gastronomy with students, featured a variety of content from talks to tasting areas. The event, held in the Mehmet Akif Ersoy Hall, was attended by İstanbul Gelişim University Board of Trustees Chair Abdülkadir Gayretli, Rector Prof. Dr. Bahri Şahin, Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Serdar Egeli, academics, and students. During the talk organized as part of the program, industry professionals shared their experiences while students had the opportunity to learn about current developments in the field of gastronomy.
Experienced Figures from the World of Gastronomy Meet with Students
The talk held as part of the event featured faculty member Assoc. Prof. Özgür Kızıldemir and industry representatives Erdal Aslanboğa, Umut Reçber, and Savaş Aydemir. Television presenter Hakan Hatipoğlu also joined the program via an online connection and shared his experiences with students.Participants offered assessments on career opportunities in the gastronomy industry, professional experiences, and the future of the sector, while also answering students' questions.
"Our Goal Is to Be among the World's Universities"
IGU Board of Trustees Chair Abdülkadir Gayretli, speaking at the program's opening, drew attention to the university's growth-oriented vision and said:“We are a university open to development and constantly renewing itself. Our goal is to be among the world's universities. In this direction, we will continue our work with determination alongside our students and academics.”
"Our Gastronomy Department Is the Showcase of Our University"
IGU Rector Prof. Dr. Bahri Şahin, also addressing the event, drew attention to the rise of the gastronomy field in recent years and stated:“Our Gastronomy Department is one of our university's standout departments, with its strong academic staff and infrastructure. Gastronomy is a field that attracts more interest with each passing year and whose star is rising, offering our students important opportunities.”
"Gastronomy Culture Is a Heritage Carried into the Future"
IGU Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Serdar Egeli, emphasizing the cultural dimension of gastronomy, stated:“Gastronomy is not merely the art of preparing and presenting food; it is also an important field that reflects the cultural heritage, ways of life, and values shaped throughout history of societies. Street foods represent one of the most vibrant and accessible examples of this cultural richness. With our Gastronomy Festival, organized as a tradition each year, we aim to bring our students together with experienced figures from the industry while also contributing to keeping gastronomy culture alive, sharing it, and passing it on to future generations. We believe that events of this kind make important contributions not only to our students' professional development but also to their social and cultural enrichment.”
Street Foods Draw Great Interest
After the talk, street foods from different regions of Türkiye came together for participants at stands set up in the event area. Students and visitors had the opportunity to sample a wide variety of flavors, and the event was filled with colorful scenes throughout.The Gastronomy Festival, held each year with different themes, continues to stand out as one of İstanbul Gelişim University's important events that supports the applied education approach and brings students together with industry professionals.
