08.07.2026 15:00
US President Donald Trump praised the official dinner hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, calling it "a 10 out of 10, maybe even a 12 out of 10." The menu, which included stone oven pide, Hizan honey, special manti, and beef ribs, also attracted great attention. Trump further stated that they had productive discussions on trade with Turkey.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Emine Erdogan hosted an official dinner in honor of leaders and their spouses as part of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit. During the program where leaders gathered, alongside bilateral meetings, flavors selected from Turkey's rich cuisine were served to the guests.
"IT DESERVES NOT 10, BUT MAYBE 12 POINTS"
Trump said in a statement after the program, "Thank you very much. We had great meetings. I had dinner with President Erdogan yesterday. And it was a solid 10, maybe even a 12. Everything was wonderful. We had very productive meetings, especially regarding trade with Turkey."
THE MENU HE GAVE 12 OUT OF 10
At the dinner Trump praised, select flavors from Turkish cuisine were presented. The menu included stone oven pide, Trabzon butter, and Hizan honey as appetizers.
For the intermediate hot course, roasted Denizli yogurt and smoked Ayas tomato sauce mantı was served.
For the main course, slow-cooked beef ribs, roasted eggplant with burnt Trabzon butter, and morel mushroom firik pilaf were offered to the guests' delight.
EMPHASIS ON TRADE
In his statement, Trump evaluated not only the dinner but also the contacts made with Turkey. Stating that the meetings were highly productive, the US President expressed that they had important discussions, particularly on trade relations between the two countries.