A Night at the Turkish Table 2026 - A Recap

The LTB Philippines Chefs Association brought its members and guests to the flavors of Turkey and the Middle East on the evening of May 21, 2026, with the Chefs Table – Turkish Night 2026 held at the iconic Milky Way Cafe.

Themed A Night at the Turkish Table, the event was an evening of flavors, fellowship, and culinary discovery, hosted by Chefs Gio Capili, Sherwin Estrella, Joel Ternida, and Mia Yan of the Milky Way Restaurant Group, with Chef J Gamboa providing a warm and welcoming setting for the night.

The menu was a well-considered journey through Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine. Guests began with an extensive mezze spread: cold starters that included Marinated Kalamata Olives, Tabouleh, Moutabal, Hummus, Arabic Salad, Whipped Feta Cheese, Lavosh and Turkish bread, and Arla Cheeses. Hot starters followed with crispy Falafel and Menemen, a slow-poached egg dish in spiced tomato and pepper sauce.

For the main course, three dishes anchored the table: Charcoal-Grilled Wagyu Beef Kofta with Grilled Onions and Peppers, Oven Roasted Turkish Spiced Salmon Trout, and the centerpiece of the evening, a Middle Eastern Whole Roast Suckling Lamb over Rice and Vermicelli, served Mandi-style. The meal closed with Mohalabia, a rose water-scented milk pudding topped with crushed pistachio and honey, and Baklava, layered with filo pastry, chopped pistachios, and honey syrup. Wines and beers were also served throughout the evening.

The event was made possible with the generous support of MIDA Food Distributor, Inc, whose products were featured in the dinner.

The LTB Chefs Table series continues to serve as one of the association's flagship member experiences: an intimate format that puts the focus on the chefs, their craft, and the conversations that happen around a shared table. Turkish Night 2026 was a strong addition to that tradition, and a reminder of how food remains one of the most direct paths to understanding another culture.

We would like to thank all the members and guests who joined, and we look forward to seeing you all in our next events!