The 4th Annual International Grand Chapitre of the Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs (OMGD) took place in Izmir, Türkiye. It’s the cosmopolitan, most western oriented Turkish city and a well-known wine region.

During the first three days 170 members from 26 countries attended: Australia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Malta, Norway, Pakistan (Mem. at Large), Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri-Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan China, Tanzania, The Netherlands, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, and the United States of America. The Induction Ceremony and Grand Gala Dinner were attended by 368 participants.

The Grand Chapitre kicked off with a two hour wine tasting at the gardens of Swissôtel Grand Efes Izmir (the main event hotel). It featured 22 producers from various Turkish wine regions apart from Izmir region. A welcome dinner followed at the spectacular hotel fine dining restaurant Scappi.

Day two: the programme was designed to discover the well-known URLA Wine Route which dates back to the Roman and Greek Empires. We visited nine wineries each with up to five wine tastings: Çakir Winery, Perdix Winery, ikidenizarasi Winery, HUS Winery, MMG Winery, Mozaik Winery, URLA Winery, URLICE Vineyards, USCA Winery. In the afternoon we paused for an organized street food lunch at the Manej Urla Farm. The day concluded with a reception and dinner at the famous OD Urla Restaurant.

Day three: we visited Pendore Vineyards and Winery, near the town of Kemaliye, for a wine tasting followed by a wine-maker lunch. Then onto Mey-Diageo Alaşehir Raki factory for a guided tour of the plant and raki tasting. The final visit and tasting of the day was at one of the most appreciated wine producers in Türkiye. NIF Vineyards and Winery is located in the town of Kemalpaşa near Izmir. Afterwards, our members proceeded to the largest wine producer in Türkiye, Sevilen. There at their Isabey Wine House and Restaurant, a wine-maker dinner paired with Sevilen’s exclusive and superb wines awaited us.

Penultimate day: a morning visit to Kostem Olive Oil Museum which included a tasting session of this local nectar of the gods. A couple of hours of leisure time followed before it was time to get ready for the evening programme.

The Induction Ceremony took place at the archaeological site of Ephesus in front of the historical Celsus Library. Afterwards, the reception and Gala Dinner were at Ephesus’s spellbinding and ancient Arcadia Road.

Our 368 members and guests enjoyed a five-course menu with each dish being paired to five pre-selected superb Turkish wines from the Kavaklidere Winery. The whole evening was accompanied by enchanting and mesmerising classical music, played live courtesy of the Izmir State Symphony Orchestra and operatic songs sung by two sopranos.

Fifth and last day: a farewell brunch at the Swissôtel’s 9th floor restaurant Scappi. Alongside this, Turkish cheese producer Antre Gourmet provided a tasting of their products. It was a wonderful end to an outstanding few days, where members could share a final meal and thoughts together, with the soothing sounds of a live jazz band in the background.

From the excitement witnessed and generated during the five days, members felt genuinely connected to each other, and to the fine wine and food shared. It was a marvellous opportunity to meet old friends and make new acquaintances, in a beautiful, unique part of the world.

Indeed, it was yet another successful and unforgettable OMGD International Grand Chapitre in all aspects!

Vive la Chaîne et Vive l’Ordre Mondial

Mohamed Hammam
Chair, OMGD International Committee
Member of the Conseils d’Administration and Magistral