Our second national Chapitre for 2015 was held at the NG Sapanca Wellness & Convention Hotel. It truly became a weekend treat for our members. This pleasant hotel located between the forest and lake at Sapanca offered a memorable dinner not to mention its tranquil environment and indulgent spa.

Acting in his capacity as a Member of the Conseil d’Administration, our own Bailli Délégué, Mohamed Hammam, presided over the Induction Ceremony. Thirty-five new and promoted members as well as 20 new Ordre Mondial members were inducted.

Generous views of the serene forest in the Induction Ceremony room created a perfect backdrop and added much to the dignified atmosphere of the occasion. The rain showers during the cocktail reception did not stop us enjoying our drinks, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the staff.

This Chapitre was marked by the creations of the visiting Chef Ali Güngörmüş. Born in Turkey he built a strong career in Germany from an early age. He currently owns and runs two restaurants in that country. “Le Canard Nouveau”  in Hamburg has held a Michelin star since November 2006. The most recent one, “Pagea” is in Munich. The name comes from the name of his home village in eastern Turkey. It represents his personality showing the strong connections with his roots. When you taste his food, you feel his cheerful energy, his surname Güngörmüş – literally meaning “ look into the sun, look toward the day ” – makes his character even more understandable.

MENU

Warm bonito, octopus, aubergine purée, miso and ponzu sauce

Exotic pumpkin soup, enhanced with lobster

Homemade goat’s cheese and dried fig ‘Manti’
with goose liver and Beluga lentils

Gin and tonic sorbet, cucumber garnish

Roasted duck, seasoned cabbage and rolled potato crepe

Rosemary scented peach, mixed berries, yogurt

Turkish coffee and petits fours

WINES
Kayra Versvs Chardonnay Viognier 2012
Gordias Grenache 2012
La Passito 2010

The menu displayed the chef’s commitment to simple, local ingredients while combining tastes from other cuisines. Each dish was presented on elegant porcelain plates. The Güral family, owners of the Sapanca Wellness Hotel and Kütahya Porselen, a large porcelain manufacturing company, kindly hosted our dinner. We were all spoilt by “Mitterteich” porcelain tableware specially produced by them for this event.

Nihal Bursa
Chargée de Presse