A student from Devrek Vocational School Cookery Program at Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) Eren Çakmak achieved a significant success raking first in the National Zero Waste Cooking Competition, organized with the slogan “There is Transformation in the Kitchen: Starting Point of Flavors”.
First Place through Sustainable Kitchen Approach
An interuniversity cooking competition, including Departments of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts and Cookery Programs, was organized in order to raise awareness of zero waste in collaboration with Kayseri University and Talas Municipality. In the cooking competition which included Departments of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts and Cookery Programs from 14 universities, 9 students competed in the final round. Being the only student from an associate degree program, Eren Çakmak impressed the jury with his authentic techniques and sustainable kitchen vision. Ranking first in the competition, Çakmak got his award of 30000TL and the cup from the Rector of Kayser University Prof. Dr. Kurtuluş Karamustafa and Talas Mayor Mustafa Yalçın.
A Success Story with Local Products
The first part of the competition that includes recipes, which prevent waste and prioritize local and seasonal foods, was held at Dr. Makbule Çıkrıkçıoğlu Gastronomy and Culinary Arts Application Kitchen. Eren Çakmak, who prepared for the competition under the coordination of BEUN Gastronomy Club Advisor Lecturer Dr. Sercan Kadam, created an artwork he named “Creation from Nothing” through the zero-waste approach. In his dish, one could see “Crisps with Orange” prepared with stale Devrek bread, “Devrek Kiren (Cornelian Cherry) Sauce” prepared from fishbones and kiren pulp, and “Grilled Sea Bass” prepared with a vegetable bed made from vegetable peels. This authentic dish that brings respect for nature, commitment to local food, and creative techniques together, received full marks from the jury.
From Waste to Art: Interdisciplinary Collaboration
The cooperation of different academic units of BEUN also drew attention in the success achieved. The special presentation plate used in the competition was designed by the Architecture and Decorative Arts Program of Gökçebey Mithat-Mehmet Çanakcı Vocational School through the evaluation of waste materials, adding an aesthetic and environmentally friendly dimension to the project.
Rector Özölçer: “Our University’s Strong Vision is Crowned with the Successes of Our Students”
BEUN Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, in his statement regarding the achievement, expressed the following:
“The fact that our esteemed student Eren Çakmak became the first place winner in such a meaningful, visionary, and socially awareness-oriented competition is a great source of pride and happiness for our university. This important success is the result of our student’s outstanding effort, disciplined work, quality education, and strong academic guidance. We consider this success as a strong reflection of our academics’ innovative perspective, practical education approach, and sustainability-oriented vision. Our student presenting our region’s geographically indicated Devrek kiren in such a prestigious platform with an original interpretation and achieving first place is one of the most concrete examples that our local values can be transformed into a universal language. The promotion of our local products and cultural heritage through higher education institutions on national and international platforms is of great importance both in terms of preserving these values and contributing to economic and cultural development. Such achievements clearly demonstrate how the richness of our city creates a strong impact when combined with science, art, and aesthetic understanding.
On this occasion, I would like to express my thanks to Prof. Dr. Kurtuluş Karamustafa, Rector of Kayseri University, first of all, and to the esteemed Kayseri University family, as well as to Talas Mayor Mustafa Yalçın and the valued Talas Municipality family for their efforts in organizing the competition. I sincerely congratulate our esteemed student Eren Çakmak, the architect of this proud achievement, and wish him outstanding success in his education and professional life. I also thank the academics of the Devrek Vocational School Cookery Program, who made great efforts in the education of our dear student and in achieving this proud success, and especially Lecturer Dr. Sercan Kadam, who meticulously prepared our student for this important organization. As Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, we will continue our efforts with the same determination to ensure that our students are trained in the best way in every field and represent our country successfully on national and international platforms.”
