Continuing its legacy of contributions to dialogue and understanding within the community of Atlanta and the greater Southeastern U.S., Istanbul Center hosted the largest Turkish Food Festival in the state of Georgia on December 11, 2011! The Turkish Food Festival took place on Sunday, December 11th from 12 to 5:00 p.m. at Istanbul Center's Alpharetta branch office.
This fun and family friendly cultural event was open to the public and admission was free. Festival guests were treated to a variety of activities and a myriad of Turkish foods. To see pictures from this year's Turkish Food Festival, please click here.
Attendees, numbering in the hundreds again this year, and their families and friends found that there was something for everyone at the Turkish Food Festival! Guests purchased tickets for $1.00 each to buy genuine, homemade Turkish cuisine. However, the festival was not just about enjoying Turkish food but also learning about Turkish culture, with a sampling of Turkish music being played while people ate. Younger audiences even enjoyed free bouncy houses, cotton candy, and face painting!
A "Noah's Pudding Competition" also took place in which members of the local Turkish American community competed by entering their version of the ancient recipe. In addition, there was free Noah's pudding for festival attendees to enjoy! "Noah's Pudding" recipes vary by region and family, but typically include at least seven ingredients, among these wheat, rice, beans, chickpeas, sugar, dried fruit and nuts. The 1st place contest winner won a $100 gift card, 2nd place won a $75 gift card, and 3rd place won a $50 gift card, respectively, and were presented to the deserving chefs by Honorary Turkish Consul General Mona Diamond!
Istanbul Center is exceedingly pleased to have been able to present Turkish food and culture to the greater Atlanta community through our annual Turkish Food Festival and look forward to hosting the festival again next year!
Turkish Food Festival