Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU), Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA), Department of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts held an important collaboration meeting with leading industry representatives to better prepare its students for the competitive business world of the future. Organized within the scope of the 2024–2025 Spring Semester, the online meeting aimed to align the department's educational vision with the dynamic needs of the sector.
Held on March 21, 2025, at 14:30 via Google Meet, the meeting brought together esteemed faculty members of the department as well as respected figures from the gastronomy industry, including external stakeholders Murat Akay (Orman Lezzetleri) and Aydın Madenoğlu (Et Yiyelim). The main agenda focused on updating existing cooperation protocols between the department and the sector, establishing new partnerships, and planning practice-oriented activities in which students can actively participate. The goal was to enhance opportunities for students to transform theoretical knowledge into practice and interact directly with industry professionals.
Prof. Dr. Aslı Albayrak, Head of the Department of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts, emphasized in her opening speech the department's commitment to quality in education, the richness of its hands-on course content, and the critical role that strong ties with the sector play in student development. She noted that regular stakeholder meetings such as this are essential for shaping the department’s academic strategies in line with the evolving needs of the industry.
In the latter part of the meeting, sector representatives shared detailed insights into current trends, pressing needs, and future expectations in the field of gastronomy. They highlighted the importance of equipping students with skills related to sustainable kitchen practices, the use of local and seasonal ingredients, maintaining high hygiene standards, and adapting to digital transformation in kitchen technologies. Additionally, it was stressed that academic programs should be supported with fieldwork and internship opportunities to ensure students are well-prepared for post-graduation employment.
Concluding on a productive note, the meeting resulted in decisions to transform collaborations into concrete projects, to implement the discussed actions with care, and to strengthen ongoing communication for future joint initiatives. The Department of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts at IGU extended its sincere thanks to all participants, especially Murat Akay and Aydın Madenoğlu, for their valuable contributions.
