Sofra/Compass Group Wins Türkiye Culinary Cup 2025

Sofra/Compass Group Türkiye, traditional Culinary Cup In its 11th year, the competition created a meaningful event. This year's competition, held under the theme "Awareness Table," showcased the creativity and conscious culinary approach of talented chefs from five different regions of Türkiye. In the grand final held at Gastronometro, the regional winners from Asia, Europe, Ankara, Bursa, and Izmir engaged in a unique competition. Contestants prepared their three-course menus consisting of an appetizer, main course, and dessert within a challenging 90-minute period. The judging panel included influencer and food program host Münhan Çınar, Chef Ulaş Durmaz (the youngest Michelin-starred chef in the world), Chef Ferhat Bora, Hodan Founder and Chef Çiğdem Seferoğlu, and influencer and presenter Cenk Doğar.
The distinguished jury, consisting of Gastronometro Product Development Chief Gökhan Sehlikoğlu and Gastronometro Instructor and Executive Chef Murat Özipek, meticulously evaluated the chefs' creativity, technical skills, and mindful approach.

Each dish is a manifesto of awareness: at Culinary Cup, conscious cooking takes center stage.

This year's Culinary Cup went beyond simply competing in technical skill and flavor, offering chefs an opportunity to reflect a conscious approach to cooking. Under the "Awareness Table" concept, sensitivity to food allergens, conscious ingredient selection, and social responsibility were central to the competition. Contestants prepared menus that not only appealed to the palate but also demonstrated a responsible approach to health and sustainability. Sofra/Compass Group TürkiyeThis demonstrated how they enriched the company's corporate vision.

"The victory belongs to Dorukhan Teker, the young chef of the future."

The Culinary Cup 2025, which concluded with a great victory for 19-year-old Chef Dorukhan Teker from the Bursa Region, once again proved the strength of young talents in Türkiye's culinary scene. Teker, the youngest chef in the competition, captivated the jury with his impressive menu consisting of "Monk's Mountain," "Gourmet Meat with Crispy Roots," and "Pear Dessert in a Cloud of Soapwort." Winning the award, Dorukhan Teker expressed his feelings with these words: “Being in the same kitchen with chefs from all regions in Istanbul was a great experience for me. I am still at the very beginning of my journey, but being here today and being chosen as the Turkish champion is an unforgettable moment for me. It is difficult to describe in words the excitement I felt when the final was announced. This competition gave me both courage and motivation. This competition is not just an individual success, but an experience we gained together with my region. Being a part of such a strong culinary culture at Sofra makes me very proud. I would like to thank all my managers and the Sofra/Compass family for their support.”

Nihat Kartal, Chairman and CEO of Sofra/Compass Group Turkey, emphasized the importance of the competition with the following words: “The Culinary Cup project, which we have been running for 11 years, has become a platform that shapes the future of gastronomic culture and inspires young talents. This year, with the theme of "Table of Awareness," we aim to showcase not only the culinary skills of our chefs, but also their other talents.”
We aimed to showcase approaches that embrace a conscious, responsible, and sustainable understanding of cuisine. 19-year-old Dorukhan's victory is the best example of how the younger generation has embraced this responsibility. This competition reflects the vision of Sofra/Compass Group Türkiye and is an investment in the future of the gastronomy world. Each chef, by pushing their own boundaries and contributing to social awareness, sheds light on the future of culinary arts.”

Kaynak: HORECA TREND and Table/Compass Group Türkiye