The latest edition of the Gault&Millau Türkiye Signature Dining Experience took place at ABELIA x Diego Guerrero, located within The Peninsula Istanbul, one of the city’s most distinguished international culinary destinations. On 27 July, two of the world’s most influential names in gastronomy—visionary chef Diego Guerrero and internationally acclaimed pastry chef Antonio Bachour—joined forces to present an exclusive menu created especially for the evening, offering guests an unforgettable dining experience.
Continuing its mission of bringing together outstanding destinations, internationally renowned chefs and exceptional culinary experiences, Gault&Millau Türkiye added another remarkable event to its Signature Dining Experience series.
Organized by Sözen Group, the series continues to unite some of the world’s most inspiring culinary talents at Türkiye’s leading gastronomic destinations. For the fifth event of the season, Diego Guerrero and Antonio Bachour came together in Istanbul, overlooking the breathtaking Bosphorus.
Held at ABELIA x Diego Guerrero within The Peninsula Istanbul, the event showcased Guerrero’s innovative contemporary cuisine alongside Bachour’s refined pastry artistry. Together, the two chefs crafted a menu that offered guests a unique journey through creativity, technique and flavor.
The exclusive evening welcomed distinguished guests from the worlds of gastronomy, business, arts and society, who experienced a menu specially designed by the two chefs for this one-night collaboration.
As host venue, The Peninsula Istanbul once again demonstrated its commitment to culinary excellence. Located in the heart of Istanbul’s historic waterfront, the hotel continues to strengthen its position as one of the city’s leading international gastronomic destinations through its distinctive dining concepts and world-class collaborations.
A Collaborative Signature by Diego Guerrero and Antonio Bachour
The evening began with a cocktail reception accompanied by Abelia Omelette 2.0, Piquillo Pepper Pastry, Yellowfin Tuna, Gazpacho-Coffee Cold Brew, and Piparras, offering guests an introduction to the creative vision shared by the two chefs.
Cold starters featured Confit Cod served with orange, grapefruit and olive pil pil sauce, followed by a composition of pickled fennel, sea beans, İzmir tulum cheese, almonds and rakı apple, alongside Cured Cherry Tomato accompanied by chive essence and frozen raspberry.
The hot appetizers included Mussels with Mojo, Yufka Croquetas with Pastırma, and Calamari Buñuelos. One of the evening’s highlights was the live paella presentation, prepared over an open fire in front of the guests. A sea bass and prawn paella was served alongside a second version featuring lamb chops and Basque peppers, allowing guests to experience not only the flavors but also the theatrical craftsmanship behind the cooking process.
The main courses featured roasted chicken served with oyster mushrooms and kale, Carmen’s Albóndigas, triple-cooked potatoes and a seasonal salad.
For dessert, Antonio Bachour presented Nitro Coconut, combining coconut, pineapple, passion fruit and mango in a refreshing composition. The evening concluded with Chocolate Sabotage, an elegant finale showcasing multiple chocolate textures that left a lasting impression. Throughout the dinner, each course was complemented by carefully selected wine pairings representing different regions of Spain.
Gault&Millau Türkiye Continues Its Signature Dining Experience Series
One of the newest expressions of The Peninsula Istanbul’s culinary vision, ABELIA x Diego Guerrero brings together the innovative philosophy of Diego Guerrero, founder and chef of Madrid’s renowned DSTAgE, with Antonio Bachour’s sophisticated technique and unmistakable aesthetic. Their complementary approaches resulted in a menu where every course told its own story.
Through its Signature Dining Experience series, Gault&Millau Türkiye continues to connect Türkiye’s finest gastronomic destinations with some of the world’s leading chefs. As the fifth event of the season, this exclusive collaboration once again reflected Gault&Millau Türkiye’s commitment to creating exceptional gastronomic experiences by bringing together internationally celebrated culinary talents in a single kitchen.
The event, organized by Sözen Group, the official representative of Gault&Millau Türkiye, was hosted by The Peninsula Istanbul, with ABELIA x Diego Guerrero and ADCO Gıda as collaboration partners.
