GastroFest 2025 Draws Star Chefs, Huge Crowds, and the Spirit of Konya

KONYA, Türkiye – The historic Kalehan Ecdat Garden was transformed into a bustling open-air culinary village for four unforgettable days as Konya hosted its 3rd GastroFest from September 4–7, 2025. The festival, organized by the Konya Metropolitan Municipality, has quickly become one of the country’s premier gastronomy events, bringing together world-renowned chefs, local food artisans, and tens of thousands of eager visitors.

A Festival of Flavors and Culture

From morning until late evening, festival-goers filled the grounds, moving between stalls offering regional delicacies, live cooking stages, tasting sessions, and music performances. The program included 60 expert talks, 40 hands-on workshops, and four major concerts, making the event not just a feast for the palate but also a celebration of culture and community.

Konya’s rich culinary identity was on full display. Traditional dishes with centuries of history shared the spotlight with modern interpretations created by innovative chefs. Attendees sampled local breads, aromatic stews, and desserts flavored with saffron, rose, and tahini, while also discovering experimental presentations that pushed the boundaries of Anatolian cuisine.

Celebrity Chefs Take the Stage

The highlight for many came when Danilo Zanna and Mehmet Yalçınkaya, two of Türkiye’s most famous TV chefs, led interactive cooking demonstrations. Their energy and charisma attracted shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, with fans queuing long before the sessions began. Visitors cheered, tasted, and photographed every moment, proving the magnetic draw of culinary personalities in today’s food culture.

In total, nearly 180 chefs joined the festival, representing both global brands and regional kitchens. Around 100 local vendors offered artisanal products ranging from handmade cheese and olive oil to spice blends and preserves.

“One of Konya’s Brand Events”

Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay emphasized the city’s commitment to making GastroFest a hallmark of Konya’s cultural calendar. He said that “GastroFest is one of our city’s brand events. Konya cuisine carries the refined spirit of Mevlevi culture, and through this festival we are determined to tell Türkiye and the world about our 10,000-year culinary story.”

The mayor also thanked the chefs, vendors, and the “hundreds of thousands” of visitors who made the 2025 edition the most successful yet.

Music, Atmosphere, and Community

Beyond food, the festival also had the atmosphere of a cultural fair. Each evening closed with a large concert, where thousands gathered under the lights to enjoy music ranging from traditional folk ensembles to contemporary bands. Families picnicked on the grass, children joined cooking workshops designed for younger audiences, and visitors from across Türkiye mingled with international guests.

The Konya News was on site throughout the weekend. Our editor-in-chief Kerem İşkan attended tasting panels, spoke with chefs about their culinary journeys, and met with readers who came to share their own impressions of the event.

Looking Ahead City officials have already confirmed that GastroFest will return in 2026, promising an even larger program with more international participation. For Konya, a city known as much for its spiritual legacy as for its agricultural wealth, the festival represents not just food but identity—an invitation for the world to taste its history, creativity, and hospitality.

Mark your calendars: next year, the world will once again gather in Konya to celebrate the art of food.