Turkish-origin German minister says doner kebab belongs to Germany
German President Frank Walter Steinmeier serves doner to guests at the summer residence of the German Embassy in Tarabya, Istanbul, Türkiye, April 22, 2024. (AA Photo)
German Food and Agriculture Minister Cem Ozdemir, who has Turkish origins, stirred debate by claiming that “the doner belongs to Germany.”
Posting on his social media X account, Ozdemir stated, “The doner kebab belongs to Germany. Everyone should be allowed to decide for themselves how it is prepared and eaten here. There is no need for guidelines from Ankara.”
‘Dish of Turkish origin’
This assertion has generated reactions given the doner’s recognized origins. The Oxford English Dictionary defines doner kebab as “A dish of Turkish origin, consisting of seasoned meat (usually lamb) roasted on a vertical spit and cut in slices as the spit turns; the meat cooked in this way.”
A diplomatic row has recently erupted between Germany and Türkiye over doner kebab, with Berlin blocking Ankara’s bid to obtain protection status for doner kebab in the EU. Türkiye had applied to the European Commission in April to register the doner.
The move was aimed at establishing strict rules for the production of the dish and ensuring that only those who adhere to certain methods and specifications can use the name.
The process mirrors the recognition given to culinary icons such as Italy’s Neapolitan pizza and Spain’s jamon serrano.
