Turkey’s first gastronomy academy, Cappadocia Gastronomy Academy, has been inaugurated under the “Gastronomy Cooperation Protocol” signed between the Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Turkey, Kapadokya University, and the Ürgüp Chamber of Commerce.
The opening ceremony of the Cappadocia Gastronomy Academy was attended by Minister of National Education Prof. Dr. Mahmut Özer and his wife Nebahat Özer, Nevşehir Governor İnci Sezer Becel, Deputy Minister Sadri Şensoy, AK Party Nevşehir Deputy Mustafa Açıkgöz, AK Party Nevşehir Deputy Yücel Menekşe, Ürgüp Mayor Mehmet Aktürk, Kapadokya University Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Ali Karasar, Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University Rector Prof. Dr. Semih Aktekin, Director General of Vocational and Technical Education Nazan Şener, AK Party Provincial Chairman Ali Kemikkıran, MHP Provincial Chairman Adnan Doğu, Ürgüp Chamber of Commerce President Ahmet Aydın, Kapadokya University Board of Trustees Coordinator Funda F. Aktan, institution officials, and NGO representatives.
Kapadokya University and the Ürgüp Chamber of Commerce came together to establish the Cappadocia Gastronomy Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School and the Cappadocia Gastronomy Academy. The aim is to enhance the competencies of teachers and students in the field of gastronomy through vocational and technical education activities, document, preserve, interpret, and develop the gastronomic inventory of the Cappadocia region by blending traditional knowledge with scientific knowledge, and raise awareness of this inventory at national and international levels. Under the name Cappadocia Gastronomy Academy, efforts will be made to protect and increase food biodiversity, reduce production, consumption, and waste, and promote the sustainability of gastronomic systems. Additionally, the academy aims to operate a local market where products from local producers, women’s cooperatives, and educational institutions specific to the region will be exhibited and sold while also improving the quality of the products offered in this market.
Minister of National Education Prof. Dr. Mahmut Özer: “We are proud to open Turkey’s first Gastronomy Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School.”
Expressing his pride in opening Turkey’s first Gastronomy Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in a historic city like Nevşehir, Özer stated that the establishment of the school in Ürgüp symbolizes the strong revival of vocational education, which had been devastated during the February 28 process. Özer said, “Today, vocational high schools have become a type of school where academically successful students enroll. We have achieved and surpassed all the goals we set for vocational education. Under the patronage of Emine Erdoğan, we launched a gastronomy mobilization to bring traditional Turkish cuisine to light, use it actively in consumption through innovative approaches, and document its inventory. As part of this, we began establishing gastronomy academies in various provinces, and the first high school was opened in Nevşehir. This is not just a model led by the Ministry of National Education but also a collaborative effort with Kapadokya University, where we will jointly utilize all resources and skills. We will implement a management model here where different units come together for a common goal. There are 55 R&D centers in Turkey, and we will make this the 56th. Here, not only will education be provided, but research and development activities related to gastronomy will also be conducted. As the Ministry, we will provide all kinds of financial support. I thank Kapadokya University for sharing their expertise with us.”
Nevşehir Governor İnci Sezer Becel:
Becel expressed her happiness in contributing to such an essential investment in Nevşehir, a city with thousands of years of history, nature, and culture. She thanked Prof. Dr. Mahmut Özer for his support. Becel emphasized that Nevşehir has a rich gastronomic culture and that efforts are being made to revive and develop centuries-old recipes of Cappadocian culture. She stated, “Today, one of the most important factors people consider when choosing travel destinations is the food and beverage culture, which validates all the work in our province. The gastronomic values of our province have started to be discussed and preferred, and at this point, they have become an important part of gastronomy tourism. We believe that the work to be done by our Cappadocia Gastronomy Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School and the students it will train will add value to our city and the sector.”
Kapadokya University Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Ali Karasar: “Stars of Turkish gastronomy will emerge from this school.”
Karasar stated that Kapadokya University has trained thousands of chefs since 2005 and expressed pride and honor in the Cappadocia Gastronomy Academy and the Cappadocia Gastronomy Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School opening. He said, “To support regional tourism and sustainable development, Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University and Kapadokya University are working closely with the Ministry of National Education. We have built a strong human resource and knowledge base with an understanding that prioritizes the historical and living gastronomic values of Cappadocia and the Central Anatolia Region. When we decided to establish this high school, we considered it our duty to offer all our expertise and human resources to the Ministry of National Education. The fastest and most effective way to introduce yourself to a foreigner is to open the doors of our cuisine to them.” Karasar added, “Stars of Turkish gastronomy will emerge from this school, and domestic and foreign tourists visiting our region will experience tasting and cooking adventures here. This school will soon become an institution of excellence.”
