The “Award-Winning Local Olive Oil Dish Competition”, organized as part of the 20th Olive and Olive Oil Harvest Festival by the Burhaniye Municipality, was held with great interest at the Hüsnü Pazarbaşı Cultural Center.
The competition was organized in three different categories: olive oil dishes, olive oil pastries, and olive oil desserts. The dishes were evaluated by a jury of experts according to various criteria, and the top three dishes were determined in each category. The jury members included Deputy Mayor Ayten Tuna, Municipal Council Member Esra Ersoy, BUBFA Gastronomy and Culinary Arts Department Vice Chair Prof. Dr. Emel Memiş Kocaman, BUBFA Hotel-Restaurant and Catering Services Instructor Kaya Nihat Pekbay, and chefs Tayfun Boyraz and Eren Çelebi.
In the competition, which aimed to preserve the rich olive oil cuisine of Turkish and Aegean gastronomy while reviving traditional recipes that are at risk of being forgotten, nine contestants who ranked in the top three across the three categories received gold awards as well as gift packages.
The awards were presented to the winners by Burhaniye Mayor Ali Kemal Deveciler, Deputy Mayor Tamer Midilli, Municipal Council Member Çiğdem Karasakal Avcu, Director of Culture and Social Affairs Engin Demir, and Director of Mukhtar Affairs Zehra Yüce. All participants also received certificates of participation in recognition of the day.
During the competition, the Balıkesir Farmer Training and Medicinal Aromatic Plants Center (BAÇEM) organized an incense workshop on the upper floor of the Hüsnü Pazarbaşı Cultural Center, where participants were informed about natural incense production.
Winners of the Competition
Olive Oil Desserts Category
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Gönül Kayper – Cream-filled olive oil kalburabastı
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Gülsüm Aydın – Mastic and almond homemade baklava
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Semra Bostan – Olive oil “mother’s cookie”
Olive Oil Pastries Category
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Gülçin Şahna – Olive oil pumpkin and walnut pastry
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Abdullah Aydın – Hand-rolled olive oil chickpea pastry
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Seher Kocaoğlu – Olive oil su böreği
Olive Oil Dishes Category
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Betül Özdemir Kaya – Mixed Aegean herb sauté
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Semra Bostan – Olive oil celery with orange
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Nermin Alkan – Olive oil eggplant dish
