A Taste of Türkiye: Turkish Cooking Class Brings Lahmacun to Jacksonville
On October 10, 2026, Atlantic Institute’s Turkish cooking class in Jacksonville brought participants together for a welcoming experience filled with food, culture, and conversation. This month’s featured dish was lahmacun, a traditional Turkish favorite that participants learned to make from scratch.
Known for its thin dough and savory topping of minced meat, vegetables, herbs, and spices, lahmacun offered a delicious introduction to Turkish cuisine. Preparing the dish together gave participants an opportunity to explore a culinary tradition while enjoying the company of others with a shared interest in food and culture.
The learning extended beyond the recipe. As part of the class’s ongoing introduction to the Turkish language, participants learned “Hoş Geldiniz,” meaning “Welcome.” The expression built on last month’s greeting, “Merhaba,” meaning “Hello,” and reflected the warm spirit of the gathering.
Pairing cooking with simple Turkish expressions adds another dimension to the experience. Participants discover more than how to prepare a dish—they also become familiar with the words and traditions that surround it. Each class offers a new opportunity to connect with Turkish culture in an approachable, hands-on setting.
For Atlantic Institute, these gatherings are also an opportunity to encourage cultural exchange within the Jacksonville community. Preparing food together creates space for conversation, shared discoveries, and new connections. A recipe becomes a starting point for learning about one another and appreciating the traditions people bring to the table.
Thank you to everyone who joined our October 10 Turkish cooking class and helped make it such an enjoyable experience. We look forward to continuing this journey together—one recipe, one Turkish expression, and one cultural experience at a time.
Interested in exploring Turkish cuisine and meeting others in Jacksonville? Follow Atlantic Institute’s upcoming events and join us for a future Turkish cooking class. Hoş Geldiniz—we look forward to welcoming you!
