Sadiq Khan served up a little künefe diplomacy in north London on Turkish Republic Day, joining the local community at Antepliler as he announced plans to become the first Mayor of London to make an official visit to Türkiye.
The Mayor visited the popular Green Lanes restaurant in Harringay on Thursday 29 October, swapping mayoral duties for a dessert-making lesson ahead of a trip combining international climate talks with efforts to strengthen trade and investment ties.
His November itinerary will take him to Antalya for COP31, the United Nations climate conference, followed by Istanbul, where he will promote London as a destination for investment.
Cooking künefe at Antepliler
At Antepliler, owner Ahmet Murat Üstünsürmeli and his team introduced Khan to the preparation of künefe, the much-loved Turkish dessert made with fine strands of pastry, melted cheese and syrup.
Among those accompanying him was Mete Coban, London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, who sampled the Mayor’s handiwork and offered an alternative career suggestion.
“I think this should be your new career,” Coban joked.
The occasion also offered the Mayor an opportunity to speak to Turkish media and influencers about his forthcoming visit, while recognising the community’s contribution to the capital.
“London’s Turkish community is a vital part of what makes our capital so special – powering our economy and enriching our culture,” he wrote on social media afterwards.
Announcing the trip, Mayor Khan said he would be “banging the drum for our capital and strengthening ties between our two countries”, before thanking Ahmet, Asen, Elif and the Antepliler team for their welcome and the künefe lesson.
For Coban, who is of Turkish Cypriot heritage, the announcement carried particular personal significance.
“For decades, Turkish Londoners have helped shape the city we know and love today. Their contributions through business, culture and public service are part of London’s success story,” he wrote.
He described accompanying Khan as “a proud moment”, welcoming the prospect of the Mayor attending COP31 and promoting investment in London.
The Mayor’s Turkish missions
The climate summit takes place in Antalya from 9 to 20 November 2026, bringing together governments, international organisations, businesses and civil society to advance action on climate change. Its agenda encompasses cutting emissions, adapting to climate impacts and strengthening international cooperation.
Khan will attend as elected co-chair of C40, the network of major cities working to tackle the climate crisis. City Hall said he would meet global leaders and take part in discussions about the practical action cities can take.
The subsequent Istanbul visit will focus on encouraging investment and developing the relationship between the two cities, drawing on their established community connections. The economic relationship is already substantial: UK–Türkiye trade totalled around £28 billion in 2025, according to City Hall.
Back on Green Lanes, the announcement provided a moment of recognition for a business that has helped make Turkish food part of London life. Founded in 1993, Antepliler has been serving the cuisine of Gaziantep for more than three decades.
“I’m proud that Antepliler has brought Turkish food to London for over 30 years,” Üstünsürmeli said in the Mayor’s announcement.
He welcomed the forthcoming trip as a reflection of the ties between the two countries — a relationship celebrated on Republic Day with warm hospitality and a helping of künefe.
