lectures

New Wave Anatolian Food in London

Birkbeck, University of London

April 22

Birkbeck Clore Management Centre

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When: — Venue: Birkbeck Clore Management Centre

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Program

10:30-10:40 Welcome by Alejandro Colás and Jason Edw ards (Birkbeck University of London)

10:40-10:55 Welcoming speech by Gülper Ergün (International Gastronomy and Film Festival)

10:55-11:00 Introducing the first panel- Ismail Ertürk (The University of Manchester)

11:00-12:00 Panel 1: The contemporary journey/transformation of Anatolian food in London

  • Melek Erdal (food writer, cook and community activist)
  • Ferhat Dirik (Mangal II owner),
  • Berkok Yüksel (food and travel writer)

12:00-12:30 Q&A

12:30-14:00 Lunch break

14:00-15:30 Film screening: documentaries on artisanal and ecological food producers in Anatolia

15:30-16:00 Coffee break

16:00-17:00 Panel 2: Interconnections between diaspora cuisines in London and their enrichment of London’s food culture and multiculturalism

  • Panikos Panayi (De Montfort University Leicester)
  • Susan Parham (University of Hertfordshire)
  • Alejandro Colás (Birkbeck University of London)
  • Jason Edwards (Birkbeck University of London)

17:00-17:30 Q&A

17:30 Closing remarks

The event is organised by Birkbeck, University of London in collaboration with International Gastronomy and Film Festival, TürkiyeOrganisers: Gülper Ergün, Founder of the International Gastronomy Film Festival; Yesim Kaya, General Coordinator of the International Gastronomy Film Festival; Prof. Alejandro Colás, Birkbeck, University of London; Dr. Jason Edwards, Birkbeck, University of London; Ismail Ertürk, The University of Manchester.

Contact name: Laura Toffolo

Speakers
  • Berkok Yüksel —

    Berkok Yüksel leads all things digital on travel and food for National Geographic Traveller (UK), and was the restaurant critic at Aposto and launched Apéro, Turkey’s most-read food newsletter. He describes his writing as a blend of food history, identity, pop culture, and the occasional deep dive into food tech.

  • Ferhat Dirik —

    Ferhat Dirik is the lifelong front-of-house, founder’s son, and now owner of Dalston’s Mangal 2. Opened in 1994, Mangal 2 was the follow-up restaurant to the U.K.’s first ocakbası (Mangal 1) which Ferhat’s father Ali Dirik opened 1991 and is now one of the most well-known and cult-followed ocakbasıs in London. Having worked in the restaurant since the late 90s, longevity in Dalston provides Ferhat with a first-hand account of the impact and transformation of Anatolian food in the area. As owner, he has reinvented the restaurant he grew up in, receiving critical acclaim. In 2024, he and his brother published their book, Mangal II: Stories and Recipes, filled with recipes past and present, and paired with stories of family, immigration, and the ever changing landscape of East London.

  • Melek Erdal —

    Istanbul born Kurdish chef Melek grew up around the vibrant immigrant community of North and East London. Inspired by the food of her roots and upbringing, and the way it emboldens and brings together communities, Melek opened her own cafe in 2013. Since the success of the cafe she has moved onto teaching and writing about food, culture and identity. She runs masterclasses, pop ups and tells food stories, whether through her documentary videos or essays, believing very much in community-focused food activism.

  • Professor Panikos Panayi —

    Panikos Panayi is Professor of European History at De Montfort University. His most important publications include Spicing Up Britain: The Multicultural History of British Food (London: Reaktion, 2008) and Migrant City: A New History of London (London: Yale University Press, 2020). He has also completed a volume entitled The People of Cyprus under British Rule, 1878-1960: Peasants Experiencing Empire, which will be published by Bloomsbury.

     

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