The 7th International Gastro Afyon Tourism and Taste Festival, held this year from September 19 to 21, 2025, in Afyonkarahisar, brought together gastronomy professionals, academics, and food enthusiasts from around the world. Hosted by Afyonkarahisar, a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, the festival was a great source of pride for Final International University (FIU) as it represented the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Our university’s Ünal Çağıner Department of Tourism and Culinary Arts made significant contributions to the festival with its competent academic staff and strong vision. Executive Chef Selim Yeşilpınar took the stage with the title "Cyprus Gastronomy Ambassador" to introduce the richness of Cypriot cuisine to international participants. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Seden Özerden also participated with an academic perspective. Both of our faculty members emphasized the importance of reviving local flavors that are on the verge of being forgotten for gastronomy tourism. In their speeches, they highlighted that culinary culture plays a critical role in preserving cultural identities, and traditional and local foods are important factors in maintaining cultural heritage. They also offered suggestions about the necessity to document these flavors, pass them on to new generations, and support them through tourism projects.

As FIU, we embrace the mission not only of academic success but also of introducing our country’s gastronomic values, cultural heritage, and tourism potential to the world. In this respect, the roles our faculty members undertook at the festival have both strengthened our university’s vision and made Northern Cyprus heard internationally.

As the Ünal Çağıner Department of Tourism and Culinary Arts, we will continue to provide our students with strong academic programs while connecting them with the world’s leading events and representing them on international platforms.

On behalf of Final International University (FIU), we congratulate our valued faculty members Executive Chef Selim Yeşilpınar and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Seden Özerden for this great achievement and express once again how proud we are of them.