Representatives and chefs from The Food Capitals, the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy and the Culinary Heritage Network gathered in Gaziantep to exchange ideas, share good practices and explore new opportunities for international cooperation around the theme of “Sustainable Kitchens of the Future."
From 9 to 11 October 2026, the City of Gaziantep, Türkiye, a longstanding member of The Food Capitals, welcomed an international delegation of chefs, city representatives and gastronomy professionals for the International Gastronomy Networks Meeting, organised as part of the renowned GastroAntep Festival.
Bringing together representatives from three international networks (The Food Capitals, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and the Culinary Heritage Network), the gathering provided a unique opportunity to exchange perspectives and experiences around a shared ambition: building a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient future for gastronomy.
The Food Capitals was proudly represented by delegates from four member cities:
The Network's Ambassador for Türkiye, Sırma Güven, helped facilitate exchanges strengthen connections among participants, including representatives of Culinary Heritage Network and UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy from Bergamo (Italy), Paraty (Brazil), Thessaloniki (Greece) and Zahlé (Lebanon).
At the heart of the gathering was a dedicated day of discussions under the theme “Sustainable Kitchens of the Future.” Following a welcome from Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Ms. Feray Yılmaz and introductions from the three networks, participants shared experiences, initiatives and good practices addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing gastronomy today.
The GastroAntep Festival provided an inspiring setting for these exchanges, allowing participants to discover local producers, traditional food practices and the richness of Gaziantep's gastronomic identity.
Discussions explored sustainable gastronomy policies and circular food systems, the importance of supporting local producers and seasonal ingredients, strategies for reducing food waste, and the preservation of culinary heritage. The participating cities and networks agreed on the importance of continuing these conversations in the coming weeks and months, building on the connections established in Gaziantep to explore concrete opportunities for cooperation and advance their shared ambitions for more sustainable kitchens.
The spirit of international exchange continued beyond the meeting rooms, with a series of culinary and cultural experiences showcasing Gaziantep's gastronomic heritage. Among the highlights was the friendly “Flavours of Gaziantep” Chef Challenge, inviting participating chefs to create contemporary dishes inspired by the city's traditional ingredients and culinary traditions.
Chef María Cecilia Restrepo, known as “Chef Chechi”, representing Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, through The Food Capitals, was selected by the jury as winner of the challenge, presenting a dish that celebrated the cultural connections between the Colombian Caribbean and the Middle East. Combining traditional arepas de huevo made with black corn and kibbeh, her creation paid tribute to the women who have preserved Colombia's beloved street-food traditions across generations, while highlighting the shared culinary influences that connect cultures across continents.
“It was an incredible honour to represent Cartagena de Indias and Colombia at this international gathering in Gaziantep. Winning this challenge was a wonderful surprise, but above all, I am proud to have shared a little of our culinary heritage with chefs from around the world," shares Chef Chechi. "My dish celebrated the connections between our Caribbean traditions and Middle Eastern cuisine, and paid tribute to the women who have kept these traditions alive across generations. This experience shows how gastronomy can bring cultures together, create new connections and open doors for our cities and our chefs.”
Her achievement has attracted attention in the Colombian press, bringing international visibility to Cartagena's culinary heritage and demonstrating how participation in international city networks can create opportunities for local culinary talent to shine on the global stage. (More Colombian press articles here and here).
For The Food Capitals, supporting exchanges between chefs from member cities is an increasingly important part of the Network's mission. From the inaugural Chefs Beyond Borders initiative at the 2026 Food Capitals Summit in Castelldefels to exchanges such as GastroAntep, these opportunities help strengthen professional connections and celebrate culinary diversity and promote greater visibility for women in gastronomy.
The Food Capitals warmly thanks the City of Gaziantep, Deputy Mayor Feray Yılmaz, and the entire organising team for their welcome and hospitality, as well as the representatives of the three participating networks for their inspiring contributions.
Together, we look forward to building on the connections made in Gaziantep, turning shared ideas into meaningful collaborations and continuing to work towards a more sustainable, inclusive and vibrant future for our kitchens, our cities and our communities.
Photos: © City of Gaziantep
