Radisson Hotel presents Turkish Culinary and Cutural Festival

In collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey, the Radisson Hotel Brunei Darussalam will be having their First Turkish Cultural and Culinary Festival from 31 October to 8 November 2015.

 

This festival will offer a some of the culinary specialties from various regions of Turkey prepared fresh by specialty chefs flown in from Turkey ranging from tasty kebabs, freshly-made baklavas and flat breads (gozlemes) to home-made dumplings (manti)  ~~ menus will be rotated daily of course.

 

I had the pleasure to check out this exotic Turkish festival at Tasek Brasserie @ Radisson Hotel last night ~ and you gotta love their Turkish costumes ~~ they flew in two chefs all the way from Turkey – thanks to the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey! Here’s chef Turan Bora

 

The other chef in action ~~ Baki Biyik ~~ looks so passionate while slicing the meat ~~

 

It was a pretty windy night so sitting by the pool sounded like a great idea ~~~

 

 

Cheese board for the night ~~

 

Now let’s start with the food! Appetizers – there’s the make your own salad section with plenty of ingredients and dressings for you to mix and match ~~

 

Or have the salads specially prepared by the chefs ~ here’s their crunchy vegetables salad

 

Down to earth sweet corn salad ~

 

Fasulye Fiyazi – A Turkish style white bean salad ~~

 

Zeytinyagli Fasulye – Turkish style long bean salad

 

Antep Ezme – initially I thought these were meatballs – but they are actually a Turkish delicacy – Antep garlic and walnuts with bread crumbs drenched in sauce. A flavour explosion ~~ and these are sooo good with the fragrant rice they serve.

 

This is one of my favourites of the night! Haydari which is a Turkish style thick yoghurt with garlic and dill! Delicious with anything! I seemed to add this to a lot of other dishes to enhance it! Spot on good stuff! Gorgeous!

 

It’s not your usual steamed rice tonight ~~ it’s a Turkish flavoured steamed rice called pirinç pilavı. I must say it’s really yummy! I usually avoid steam rice in buffets but I admit – I went back for this three times! The Turkish really know how to cook steamed rice!

 

Bulghur Pilav is a steamed bulghur wheat which is a good healthy wholegrain! Guilt free and of course packed with the flavour of spices! Higher protein and fibre than brown rice!

 

Another superfood – the chickpeas ~~Nohut Yahnisi ~~ Turkish style chickpea stew ~~ mmmm ~~~

 

Something more local in the buffet spread – Stir fried noodles and vegetables to cater to those who want to have something more familiar in their meals.

 

For soups – they usually will have a Turkish influenced soup and a Western or Asian soup. Today’s Turkish soup of the day is the red lentil soup called Mercimek Corbasi. Turkish really love their whole grains!

 

Ahh I had my first taste of Turkish Borek when I was in Melbourne and was very pleased to see them here! A Turkish style puff pastry appetizer ~~ Kiymali Borek – stuffed with spiced mince meat! *droools*

 

Next is the Pilic Sarma, which is a stuffed roast chicken dish ~~

 

The stuffing appears to have a good hint of cinnamon and other spices ~~~ be sure to scoop some of the creamy sauce to balance it ~~ simply yummy!

 

Izmir Koftesi ~~ A Turkish style long meatballs kinda like a kofta ~~ served with vegetables in a stew.

 

Levrek Tavaa ~~ A Turkish style fried seabass slices ~~ these go well with the Haydari yoghurt I talked about!

 

These flatted meatballs called Izgara Kofte is kinda like koftas as well ~~ again –this goes superbly with the Haydari Yoghurt!

 

One of the highlights – kebabs ~~ mmm ~~

 

The process of wrapping the Turkish kebabs ~~ *drools*

 

    

Gorgeous Turkish Kebabs ~~~ again I must dip these with the yoghurt! AHHAHAHHAHAH

 

Awwww yeahhhh!! EAT ALL THE TURKISH FOOD!

 

While dining, diners can enjoy a Turkish “Ney” musical performance nightly. “Ney” is Turkey’s traditional end-blown flute creating mystical music.

 

Gotta love these lights ~~~ so colourful!

 

Let’s have a look at desserts! Lots of Turkish influenced desserts I must say! Turkish desserts are generally quite sweet so be ready to enjoy them with coffee or tea. Those with a sweet tooth will love them!

 

Ice cream! Who wants ice cream?! *raises hand*

 

Fresh fruits for those who want something lighter for dessert ~~ or can’t take too sweet desserts

 

Kazandibi – A Turkish style pudding with caramelized tops. Kinda like creme caramel but with more spices and slightly different texture!

 

Kalbura Basti – Turkish style cookies ~ kinda like spiced cookies dunked into syrup to give it a slightly softer texture than regular cookies.

 

Sam Tatlisi -Turkish Almond Cake ~~ oooooooh yesss! I love almonds!

 

Proftorol – Turkish style chocolate profiteroles ~~

 

Revani – Turkish style semolina cookies with syrup and walnuts.

 

oooh Turkish Eclairs! w000t! One does not say no to these!

 

Sekerpare ~~ a Turkish style soft cake with almonds~~

 

More assorted desserts  ~~~

 

Sutlac – Turkish rice pudding!

 

Last but not least – the gorgeous baklava! The most famous Turkish pastry ~~ layers of filo pastry with glazed nuts!

 

Seriously ~~ look at that beautiful piece of pastry ~~ *drools*

 

 

 

 

Group of friends enjoying their Turkish culinary experience ~~ smile for the camera!

 

At the lobby, diners will be captivated by a unique art style called Turkish Ebru (Painting-On-Water) art performance, the dance of the colours on water and transferring this painting onto paper! You can even try it yourself ~~ the lady will teach you for a price of course!

 

Some of the guests having fun with the Ebru ~~

 

My guest for the night: Poh Chuan having a go at the Ebru art ~~ well done!

 

Naturally – me the foodie blogger must use my artistic instincts to have a go at Ebru art too! Do you like it? Hee hee ~~

 

By the way, Diners will have the chance to win attractive lucky draw prizes such as return air-tickets for 2 persons to Dubai courtesy from Royal Brunei Airlines, a return air-ticket for 1 person to Jakarta and a return air-ticket for 1 person to Singapore. Wow! I want that ticket to Dubai!

 

Buffet dinner is priced at B$36net per adult and B$18net per child. Diners who pay with their Baiduri Bank credit or debits cards will enjoy up to 20% savings. So be sure to drag your friends who have Baiduri Bank cards!

 

Reservation is highly recommended as you don’t know when you will have a chance to sample Turkish cuisine from chefs flown all the way from Turkey! Please call 2244272 extension 8872 to reserve your seats!