Turkish pasta producer Mutlu Makarna continues to make a name for itself with its collaboration with MasterChef Mehmet Yalçınkaya.
Report: Eylül Aşkın
At the launch event of the “Mutlu Makarna Makes the Best” advertising campaign, featuring Mehmet Yalçınkaya, held on Wednesday evening at his restaurant, MYK Restaurant, the renowned chef hosted an exquisite night for industry veterans, businesspeople, celebrities, and us members of the press with a special menu where all dishes were prepared using Mutlu Makarna products.
The opening dish of the evening, hosted by renowned presenter Özlem Yıldız, was Couscous Soup, made with Mutlu brand couscous, pumpkin, milk foam, pumpkin seeds, and coriander oil as the main ingredients.
Although I’m not usually a fan of milk foam, Chef Mehmet managed to make me—someone who is quite picky with food and generally avoids pumpkin—both eat and enjoy this pumpkin-based soup. I can confidently say that, from the perspective of an ordinary taster like myself, it was the highlight of the night.
After the soup, the appetizer course featured Mutlu Mantı, served on sous vide-cooked sea bass with lemon pickle sauce, topped with dumplings and a final layer of tomato sauce. Additionally, spaghetti was served, enriched with kanlıca mushroom powder, cream, and dried basil for extra flavor.
Although the combination of minced meat and fish did not feel out of place thanks to Chef Mehmet’s expertise, my colleague and I preferred to eat the sea bass and dumplings separately.
The main course, Arpa Şehriyeli Gerdan (Neck of Lamb with Orzo), was a challenge for those who do not prefer lamb or are not fond of spinach. Served with a flavorful spinach marrow sauce and purslane, the beautifully presented dish, finished with fire-grilled lime, was, in my opinion, both visually appealing and delicious—satisfying both our eyes and our appetites.
The tasting menu concluded with Semolina Dessert, an intriguing combination of chocolate, quince jelly, pişmaniye (Turkish cotton candy), and rose petals.
Before the dessert tasting, Mehmet Yalçınkaya turned the moment into a fun spectacle by asking guests to tap the chocolate with a spoon while making a wish. Those who managed to break the chocolate in one go and have it fall into the glass firmly believed they would be forever happy.
At the end of the night, the “Mutlu Makarna Makes the Best” commercial featuring Mehmet Yalçınkaya, along with its behind-the-scenes footage, was showcased on a giant screen for the guests. Following this, Yalçınkaya invited his young team to the stage and asked for a round of applause in their honor.
In his speech, Mehmet Yalçınkaya shared that he initially had reservations about partnering with Mutlu Makarna, thinking, “A pasta company from Gaziantep?” However, he ultimately accepted the collaboration after seeking approval from his MasterChef colleague, Italian chef Danilo Zanna. He recalled Zanna’s words: “They make pasta almost as good as in my country.” Reassured by this endorsement, Yalçınkaya expressed his satisfaction with the partnership, stating, “I am very happy to be working with Mutlu Makarna, Turkey’s largest locally-owned pasta producer. I put my signature under the brand’s flavor.”
In addition to the night’s host, Özlem Yıldız, the special event welcomed esteemed guests, including Haldun Dormen and several well-known young chefs from MasterChef. Throughout the evening, Mehmet Yalçınkaya made a point to visit every table, engaging with both famous and non-famous guests alike, attentively gauging their impressions.
Although many of the plates returned largely untouched, the evening left a very positive impact for Mutlu Makarna’s promotion. The night ended with a warm atmosphere, especially as Mehmet Yalçınkaya took a moment to thank the farmers, saying, “Without wheat, there’s no pasta.”
We left the event feeling both satisfied and hopeful about the future of local production, with full stomachs and a renewed appreciation for the value of homegrown products.
Kudos to Chef Mehmet! And thank you, Mutlu Makarna! Long live the farmers!
