Turkish delight for Cheltenham

A pair of Turkish-born friends have joined forces to bring their country's cuisine to the people of Cheltenham.

Deniz Stevens and Mukadder Eroglu have launched Mezze Catering to provide ready-made food for parties, weddings, office functions and other special occasions.

And later this month they are involved with the Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival, where they will be sharing their enthusiasm for Turkish food with visitors.

Mezze provides canapés, salads, pastries and desserts for all tastes, but specialise in Turkish food, including the hot and cold mezzes the country is famous for.

Sous chef Deniz, whose background is in marketing and customer service, said: "We are new but enthusiastic and confident in what we do.

"All our food is made with fresh ingredients and also all our meat is free range and locally sourced.

"Our food offers a new and healthy alternative for the people of Cheltenham.

"All our dishes are made according to tradition."

Her business partner, Mukadder, runs Cheltenham Turkish restaurant The Grille in Winchcombe Street with her husband, Namik.

She has 10 years experience in the food industry and has been at the helm of The Grille for the past six years.

"We are very excited to be at the Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival," said Deniz.

"Hopefully this will give us the opportunity to introduce our specialities to everyone."

The festival which started yesterday runs for three days in Montpellier Gardens.

It has a line-up of more than 150 food producers and guests. MasterChef 2009 winner Mat Follas, the Kiwi cook and a self-avowed forager of food, is the headline guest at the event.

Also visiting is chef Martin Blunos, holder of two Michelin stars, who will be joining some of the county's leading chefs showcasing local and regional produce in the Intoto Kitchen tent.

In the Free Wine Theatre there will be talks showcasing the finest wine from Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Portugal and England with leading winemakers.

Gloucestershire's great real ales will also be on show with a selection of the best brewers producing the finest beer and cider.

There will also be entertainment from music to street theatre including boogie woogie band Professor Nohair and the Wiglifters.