This is why METRO features community platforms like Gastronometro in Istanbul. Directly opposite its wholesale store, METRO Turkey has created a kind of ecosystem for the country’s hospitality industry. At this combined training centre, cooking school, show kitchen and event location, everything is brought together under one motto: Learning by feeling, tasting, smelling and doing it yourself. Since 2015, customers – above all, hotel and restaurant owners – established and aspiring chefs, suppliers, employees, gourmet critics and opinion leaders in the restaurant scene have been gathering in the 1,700-square-metre space to trade their experience and ideas. Together, they create and sample new dishes and preserve traditional recipes. The purpose of their activity is to perpetuate and enrich Turkish cuisine – at home and in the world at large.