The 3rd International Gastromasa Gastronomy Conference 2017 will introduce Turkish culinary culture to the world on Dec. 2 with the goal of propelling Turkey to the top of the world's best touristic and gastronomic destinations.

A press conference to highlight the event was held at the Haliç Congress Center by the Sözen Organization.

Speaking on behalf of the company, Gökmen Sözen said the main mission of the conference was to contribute to the tourism sector in Turkey, adding that this year they have also added gastronomic tours in important Turkish cities in addition to the annual tours held in Istanbul.

Sözen said this year they are taking the chefs to Cappadocia through the generous cooperation of Göreme Municipality for two days.

Next year, they have planned a two-day trip to Gaziantep, a precious gastronomic city included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

"Our mission and goal is to make Gastromasa one of the top five gastronomic conferences in the world. After 2020, we plan to take the conference to other countries as Turkey's gastronomic brand and carry out our conference abroad," Gökmen said. "The historical and gastronomic tours we have planned for the chefs in our unique geopolitical, geographical and historical cities, like Istanbul, are important for us and for our country's tourism."

Beyoğlu Mayor Ahmet Misbah Demircan also pointed out that trends in the tourism sector fluctuate year to year, but food culture always attracts visitors' attention.

Demircan stated that Turkey is the heart and bridge of the world, and that the bridge starts in Istanbul.

Recalling that tourism in Turkey used to primarily focus on the sea, sand and sun of the Mediterranean coast, it has more recently starting taking advantage of the country's rich history, culture, art, sports and shopping, Demircan said.

He also indicated that across Turkey's 81 provinces, 2,500 different regional cuisines exist and that Gaziantep leads the way with 91 different types.

"One of the most effective ways to explain culture is with food. Turkey is rich food wise and is now looking for new ways to express itself through this new cultural field," Demircan continued. "Human beings must eat and drink to survive, and this is where some of Turkey's strongest talents are. I would like to thank all of those who are helping us to realize our country's potential."

Gaziantep Metropolitan Mayor Fatma Şahin highlighted gastronomy as an important part of the economy.

"Cities are competing nowadays, both domestically and internationally. The variety of products is staggering, which is actually a positive sign of human and cultural development. As a result, we need to strengthen our own cuisine," she noted.

Mayor Şahin underlined that Turkey has gastronomic potential that needs to be introduced to the world.

"Gastronomic tourism in relation to regional development can be compared to a pie. We need to cut bigger slices. We have already made great strides in volunteer work and human capital," Şahin said. "Right now, we are at the bottom of the ladder, but the gastronomic tourism pie is huge, and we need to create an effective development model to get the biggest slices of it. If we can manage the pie well, create a good road map and effectively assign responsibilities, a very strong economic trend will emerge."

Şahin stressed that a concrete plan is needed.

"We realize this is not a small city model, but something for the whole Anatolian region, both to promote development and cultural appreciation. I have high hopes that we can achieve everything if we can effectively work together," she added.

Giants of gastronomy world merge in IstanbulWorld renowned Spanish chef Joan Roca is one of the chefs that will visit Istanbul for the 3rd International Gastromasa Gastronomy Conference.

According to the information given in the press conference, the world's best chefs will hold workshops featuring the unique products of their respective regions. One of the highlights of the event is the ChefChat section.

Gaziantep, renowned for its historical values, unique culinary culture and inclusion in the UCCN, will participate in Gastromasa by presenting its unique cuisine. Many national and international brands will also participate in the events at individual stands.

An impressive list of famous chefs will also attend the event, including: Joan Roca, who received "The Best Chef" award and ranks third in the "World's 50 Best Restaurants" list; Mauro Colagreco, also named on the same list; Hiroyasu Kawate, who was included in "Asia's 50 Best Restaurants" list; Paco Torreblanca, known as the "Pastry Chef of the Kings" in Spain; Mitsuharu Tsumura and Virgilio Martinez, chosen as Latin America's top two chefs; Gianluca Fusto, one of the best pastry chefs in the world; Andrea Dopico and Kamilla Seidler, who was chosen as Latin America's Best Female Chef in 2016.