We Have a Guest from the Farthest Corner of the Turkic World

DATE May 10, 2018 VENUE Swissotel The Bosphorus The Yakut people are a group we know very little about, who still preserve Shamanism, an authentic form of Turkish belief. The Yakuts, who generally subsist on domestic and game animals, are able to get through nine months of the year without using a refrigerator thanks to the harsh continental climate. The region’s numerous rivers, teeming with delicious fish, have also played a role in shaping the national cuisine. Reindeer meat holds a prominent place in their cuisine. When it comes to red meat, their top choice is foal meat. Our chef, Nikolai Gabyshev, hails from Yakutia. During our evening with friends, as we explored the traces of a very distinct cuisine, we savored a menu full of surprises. On a night enlivened by Yakut beverages, we listened to Yakutian soloist Albina Degtıareva and watched a performance of the mouth harp (komuz).