A COMPARATIVE LOOK AT GAZIANTEP GASTRONOMY

Especially for tourists visiting a particular destination, tasting local flavors is often a separate and important motivation. Since Gaziantep is a city known for its gastronomy and unique dishes, due to the increasing attractiveness of the relevant destination in terms of culinary richness and being an essential element of brand identity, it is a matter that academic studies should be conducted, and studies should be added to the literature in terms of gastronomy. In this research, it is aimed to rediscover the concept of gastronomy for Gaziantep, and to try to better understand the elements of Gaziantep comparative local tastes. Gaziantep, a bustling metropolis found between Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean, where the first civilizations were born, has a rich history characterized by diversity and multiculturalism. This city, which has hosted many civilizations from the Romans to the Ottomans, from the Hittites to the Assyrians, has become a melting pot of cultures that have combined and shaped its unique cuisine. From the techniques used to the ingredients and recipes used, food in Gaziantep is truly extraordinary. Its cuisine is shaped by four factors; geographic location, climate, resource, and culture. A strategic location on the old Silk Road to Aleppo and the wonderful mix of Mediterranean and Mesopotamia means the food is influenced by a vibrant and rare mix of Turkish, Arabian, Hittite, and Assyrian cuisines. Influencing all this, astronomy in Gaziantep underlines the diverse and diverse nature of the city. Countless civilizations have contributed to its legacy, so today it has responded with open arms to refugees as a city that has historically been enriched by immigration, facing one of the worst civil crises since World War II. Influenced by this lighthearted mantra, local cuisine is consumed communally, and further research is essential.