COTHM Pakistan proudly hosted a grand ceremony on October 28, 2025, to celebrate the Republic Day of Türkiye, which is officially observed on October 29. The celebration symbolized the enduring friendship, shared values, and cultural harmony between Pakistan and Türkiye.
Mehmet Eymen Şimşek, Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Lahore, and his spouse attended the ceremony as chief guests. They were warmly received by COTHM CEO Ahmad Shafiq, who highlighted COTHM’s longstanding commitment to strengthening international cultural and educational linkages. He remarked that celebrating Türkiye’s Republic Day at COTHM is a tribute to the deep-rooted brotherhood between the two nations.
In his address, the Consul General appreciated COTHM’s efforts to promote cross-cultural understanding and professional hospitality education. He said that such initiatives play a vital role in bringing the people of Pakistan and Türkiye closer and reinforcing mutual respect between the two countries.
The delegation toured various departments of COTHM, beginning with the EDL, where students demonstrated international dining standards.
They then visited the baking kitchen, where Pastry Chef Hamza introduced the bakery items prepared for the occasion.
The guests also toured the hot kitchen, where Waseem and Chef Umar Farooq presented a variety of dishes showcasing the institution’s culinary excellence.
Adding a festive, authentic touch, a Turkish-style ice cream cart was set up for the guests. The traditional Turkish ice cream experience delighted attendees and recreated the joyful atmosphere of Türkiye’s street culture.
The event was further enriched by the participation of Nisa Sultan, who played an active role as a partner in organizing the Republic Day celebration. She led a professional team comprising an executive chef from Türkiye, an associate chef, and a manager for Turkish cuisine. Their involvement added authenticity and depth to the event, making the celebration a true reflection of Turkish hospitality and culture.
The delegation also visited the Chocolate Academy, where CEO Zainab Shafiq Ahmad briefed the guests on the Academy’s international-standard training in baking, pastry, and barista skills. She shared that the Academy is expanding nationwide and will soon expand internationally.
Students demonstrated their creativity and skills through their culinary displays, which received high praise from the guests. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of commemorative shields and cake cutting for the distinguished guests as a gesture of gratitude and friendship.
The Turkish delegation lauded COTHM for maintaining global standards in culinary and hospitality education and for its efforts to strengthen cultural and professional ties between Pakistan and Türkiye.
