London Craft Week, A Taste of Türkiye at Yunus Emre Institute London

Joining 400 fantastic makers, designers, brands, and galleries from 26 countries, Yunus Emre Institute London took part in London Craft Week for the 5th consecutive year. Taking place between the 9th and 15th of May at the Institute in Fitzrovia, the theme this year was Turkish Cuisine. Participants had the opportunity to take part in workshops, demonstrations, talks and more with world-class chefs to explore (and taste) Türkiye’s famous cuisine. Alongside our culinary activities, artists and art-lovers were also be catered for with workshops and talks on the traditional Turkish arts of İznik tiles, Ebru (paper marbling), Bookbinding, and Calligraphy.

London Craft Week (LCW) is an annual festival that celebrates exceptional international craftsmanship. Across London, workshops, galleries, and demonstrations are held by emerging makers as well as celebrated masters, famous studios, galleries, shops, and luxury brands. While the event may be centred in London, the crafts and artistry are distinctly international. Embracing craft and the lively community LCW fosters, Yunus Emre Institute London held a host of fantastic in-person craft events again this year, this time with a focus on Turkish cuisine!
Yunus Emre Institute London’s celebration of Turkish cuisine in May overlaps with the launch of Turkish Cuisine Week which is being held for the first time from 21 to 27 May 2022. Matching in aims, both weeks aim to showcase Turkish dishes with all their unique qualities as the crown of Turkish dining tables and a defining element of our Turkish cultural identity.
The week kicked off with masterclasses and demonstrations with award-winning Chef Ali Açıkgül on ‘Anatolia’s Zero-Waste Kitchen’ exploring sustainability baked into Turkish cooking, the many types of ‘Turkish Şerbet’, and the ‘Forgotten Taste of Anatolia’ delving into the Malatya’s delicious dishes. Türkiye’s desserts also took centre stage during the week as Chef Servet Kılıç demonstrated how to make traditional Turkish desserts. Chef Özlem Warren led interactive demonstrations on ‘Turkish Cold Mezes’ and ‘Simit & Turkish Tea’ to add a taste of Turkey to people’s dinner tables. Delving into Turkish coffee, Nedim Aydoğdu, coffee expert and coffee ambassador, led a demonstration on the iconic drink and taught the audience to make the drink on hot sand. Alongside culinary activities, craft workshops tookplace throughout the week as Professor Ahmet Sacit Açıkgözoğlu led a paper marbling workshop, artist Nagihan Seymour led an İznik Tiles workshop and Osman Doruk led a Bookbinding workshops. 
Wherever you go in Türkiye, you will always find something delicious to eat. Thirst-quenching drinks, fresh mezes, mouth-watering main meals, and delectable desserts cater to every taste and they came to London this May!For more information on future events run by Yunus Emre Institute London, please visit https://yeelondon.org.uk/, or follow their social media @yeelondra on FaceBook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
For more information on Turkish Cuisine Week, please visit: https://turkishcuisineweek.com/