During the handover ceremony held as part of the 10th UGTAK Congress—which took place in Eskişehir from October 1–3, 2026—the mandate to host the 11th UGTAK Congress in Konya was awarded to Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Seçim. Upon receiving the UGTAK banner—a symbol of the congress’s continuity and institutional legacy—from the 10th UGTAK Congress term president, Prof. Dr. Emrah Özkul, and congress president, Prof. Dr. Hakan Yılmaz, the 11th UGTAK Congress President, Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Seçim, stated that hosting the event in Konya would represent a significant scientific milestone for the city’s gastronomy.

Prof. Dr. Seçim noted that Konya’s gastronomy sector has gained significant momentum in recent years. He emphasized that the 11th UGTAK Congress would provide a robust scientific contribution to this ongoing development, further enhancing the visibility of Konya’s gastronomic potential on both a national and international scale.

The 10th UGTAK Congress in 2026, which featured over 300 research papers and the participation of more than 500 scholars, once again underscored the academic significance of the congress within the fields of gastronomy and gastronomy tourism. By hosting the 11th UGTAK Congress in Konya, the aim is to bring together scientific research covering a wide range of topics, including gastronomy tourism, local culinary culture, sustainability, gastronomic heritage, and the intersection of gastronomy and tourism. The 11th UGTAK Congress will serve as a significant meeting point for the city’s gastronomy vision, helping to bolster Konya’s rich culinary culture through scientific research and ensure its stronger representation on international academic platforms.