Latest news with #Turks
Forbes
18 hours ago
- Forbes
New Oceanfront Dining Concept Embodies Turks & Caicos As Hot Dining Destination
Turks and Caicos is a trendy spot to enjoy gorgeous blue waters and incredible beaches. But aside from appreciating the marine life and natural beauty, this island has increasingly become a hot culinary destination. Wymara Resort + Villas has long been one of the most popular destinations in Turks and Caicos, with an award-winning dining program to match – but with their newly introduced Land + Sea oceanfront restaurant concept within the intimate Wymara Villas + Beach Club, they have kicked things up a notch. Chef Andrew Mirosch, Director of Culinary and Executive Chef, of Wymara Resort + Villas. The resort's two previously existing restaurants, Blue Water Bistro and Indigo, both currently top Tripadvisor's list of Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Turks and Caicos, so this new spot had some big shoes to fill. 'At Wymara, we've always believed that food is one of the most powerful ways to connect people to a place and its culture," said Chef Andrew Mirosch, Director of Culinary and Executive Chef of Wymara Resort + Villas in an email interview. "While our main resort on Grace Bay is already home to two of the island's top-rated restaurants (Indigo and Blue Water Bistro), we felt there was still something special to be created at our Wymara Villas + Beach Club location," said Mirosch, who saw Land + Sea as an opportunity to bring that philosophy to life in a setting unlike any other, right along the water's edge at Sunset Cove Beach. Mirosch wanted to bring the spirit of the villas to life through food, atmosphere, and an authentic connection to the sea. "The vision was to create a dining destination that feels as rooted in its surroundings as the ingredients we serve. It's inspired by this breathtaking location and shaped by our passion for fresh, responsibly sourced cuisine, showcasing everything from pristine, line-caught seafood and island-grown produce to premium cuts from New Zealand, Australia, and beyond," said Mirosch. Every element of the Land + Sea experience, from the open-air design to the plate presentation, is designed to reflect the natural beauty and rhythm of island life. "We've created a place where guests can truly slow down and engage all of their senses. Whether it's a long, leisurely lunch overlooking the water or an alfresco dinner under the stars, we want every moment to feel transportive," said Mirosch. "Land + Sea isn't just a restaurant; it's the culmination of everything we love about Turks & Caicos: bold flavors, extraordinary ingredients, warm island hospitality, and a setting that invites you to pause, savor, and stay awhile," said Mirosch. Land + Sea at Wymara Resort + Villas Land + Sea is the only standalone restaurant at Wymara Villas + Beach Club, which is located just seven minutes drive from the main Wymara Resort on Grace Bay. "It was designed as a destination in its own right, anchored by the beauty of Sunset Cove Beach and the distinctive personality of the villas," said Mirosch. The menu at Land + Sea offers dishes not found at the other Wymara dining concepts. "To start, we welcome guests with a complimentary bite: housemade pork belly maple-chipotle sausage served with our house chili sauce, alongside freshly baked bread with chilled smoked brisket butter, beef jus, and hummus. It's unexpected, indulgent, and sets the tone for what's to come," said Mirosch, who has also introduced expanded raw bar offerings, including seafood towers and spins on traditional oysters, and completely new cocktail and zero-proof offerings specific to this concept.' "We blend the vibrant flavors of the Turks and Caicos Islands with techniques and ingredients inspired by my Australian roots," said Mirosch, who is a strong advocate for working with local farmers and fishermen. "We prioritize regionally grown produce and line-caught, net-free seafood to ensure every dish reflects our dedication to sustainability and the freshest seasonal ingredients. All of our fish is fresh, never frozen, and our steaks are aged in-house for 5 to 12 weeks to deliver the best possible flavor," said Mirosch. Premium beef from Australia and New Zealand is a hallmark of the menu. What makes dining at Wymara so special is the variety, according to Mirosch, as well as attention to detail and overall sense of place. "Guests can enjoy something completely different at each restaurant without ever getting bored," said Mirosch, who promised though for fans of the resort's other dining concepts, they carry over certain guest favorites with a new twist. For example: "If you enjoy Indigo's housemade, hormone-free Steamed Chicken and Scallion Dumplings with sesame chili plum sauce, you'll want to try Land + Sea's version, made with ginger and served with a Vietnamese nuoc cham dipping sauce. You'll also find a version of our White Seafood Chowder at both restaurants, each with its own personality.' The hot and cold seafood tower at Land + Sea. Some signature dish highlights at Land + Sea include the Hot & Cold Seafood Tower, which includes oysters, steamed blue crabs, snow crab claws, steamed ship, tuna ceviche, fried grouper and coconut tiger prawns, as well as panko-crusted calamari, mussels in white wine and garlic (served with Chef Andrew's own cocktail & tartare sauce, and seasonal fruits.). Other signature dishes include the Char-Grilled Blackened Grouper with shrimp and pineapple fried rice, grilled asparagus, and lemon caper butter and the 14 oz 'Ocean' New Zealand Black Angus New York Cut Striploin marinated in pineapple juice, soy, garlic and ginger (featuring an ultra premium cut of Black Angus beef grown on marine grasses in southern island of New Zealand – not too shabby for a relaxing dinner on the beach!).
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Liverpool icon Dirk Kuyt leaves role as Beerschot boss after rollercoaster spell including title triumph and relegation
OVER AND KUYT Liverpool icon Dirk Kuyt leaves role as Beerschot boss after rollercoaster spell including title triumph and relegation Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LIVERPOOL icon Dirk Kuyt has left his role as Beerschot boss after a rollercoaster spell in Belgium. The 44-year-old had only taken charge of Dutch minnows ADO Den Haag before being snapped up by Beerschot in December 2023. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Dirk Kuyt has left Belgian side Beerschot after they were relegated to the second tier Credit: Getty Images - Getty 2 Kuyt played 285 times for Liverpool during a glittering career Credit: Getty Kuyt made an immediate impact at the second-tier side as he guided them to promotion by winning the title. But the former striker's time in the top-flight was a disaster as Beerschot finished bottom with just five wins from 36 outings. And despite remaining popular with fans, Kuyt has now been shown the door by his club. A Beerschot statement confirmed: 'The club sincerely thanks Kuyt for his dedication, commitment and positive contribution. 'His energy and involvement were a source of inspiration within the group of players. 'We wish him every success in the rest of his coaching career.' Kuyt is now on the hunt for a new role and will be hoping his next steps mirror the success of his career as a player. After banging in 149 goals during eight seasons in his native Netherlands, Kuyt left Feyenoord for Liverpool in 2006. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS The forward, who became a hit with supporters for his non-stop work rate, netted 71 goals in 285 games while leading Liverpool to Carabao Cup glory in 2012. After leaving in 2012, he spent three seasons with Turks Fenerbahce where he won the league title. Fans shocked as Trent Alexander-Arnold speaks fluent Spanish at Real Madrid unveiling after quitting Liverpool Kuyt then rejoined Dutch giants Feyenoord and scored a final-day hat-trick to secure the 2017 Eredivisie title before retiring 72 hours later. Kuyt also enjoyed success with his international side and scored 24 goals in 104 outings as the Netherlands lost the 2010 World Cup final to Spain before finishing third four years later.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Liverpool icon Dirk Kuyt leaves role as Beerschot boss after rollercoaster spell including title triumph and relegation
LIVERPOOL icon Dirk Kuyt has left his role as Beerschot boss after a rollercoaster spell in Belgium. The 44-year-old had only taken charge of Dutch minnows ADO Den Haag before being snapped up by Beerschot in December 2023. 2 Dirk Kuyt has left Belgian side Beerschot after they were relegated to the second tier Credit: Getty Images - Getty 2 Kuyt played 285 times for Liverpool during a glittering career Credit: Getty But the former striker's time in the top-flight was a disaster as Beerschot finished bottom with just five wins from 36 outings. And despite remaining popular with fans, Kuyt has now been shown the door by his club. A Beerschot statement confirmed: 'The club sincerely thanks Kuyt for his dedication, commitment and positive contribution. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL 'His energy and involvement were a source of inspiration within the group of players. 'We wish him every success in the rest of his coaching career.' Kuyt is now on the hunt for a new role and will be hoping his next steps mirror the success of his career as a player. After banging in 149 goals during eight seasons in his native Netherlands, Kuyt left Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS The forward, who became a hit with supporters for his non-stop work rate, netted 71 goals in 285 games while leading Liverpool to Carabao Cup glory in 2012. After leaving in 2012, he spent three seasons with Turks Fenerbahce where he won the league title. Fans shocked as Trent Alexander-Arnold speaks fluent Spanish at Real Madrid unveiling after quitting Liverpool Kuyt then rejoined Dutch giants Feyenoord and scored a final-day hat-trick to secure the 2017 Eredivisie title before retiring 72 hours later. Kuyt also enjoyed success with his international side and scored 24 goals in 104 outings as the Netherlands lost the 2010 World Cup final to Spain before finishing third four years later.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Istanbul Encyclopedia review: headscarves or hair down in search of self
Trust the Turks to create a series that flaunts their history and heritage, their visually stunning cities and towns, their beautiful people, their devout faith, and of course their love and affiliation with cats. Istanbul Encyclopedia is a Turkish drama series created by Selman Nacar, a Turkish filmmaker and film producer, that contains all of these elements, and more. The story follows Zehra (Helin Kandemir), a student and Nesrin (Canan Ergüder), a mature woman who both attempt to reinvent themselves in Istanbul. Twenty-year old Zehra, the daughter of Nesrin's estranged close friend, has only just arrived in Istanbul but Nesrin, a cardiovascular surgeon lives here. Although they both belong to different generations, but on parallel and somewhat intertwined tracks, both women go through upheavals in life and transform them into different people. As Nacar takes us through their personal journeys, we feel their aspirations, and their quest for identity in the urban setting of modern-day Istanbul. While the somewhat culture-shocked Zehra who arrives from smaller city Amasya aspires to settle in Istanbul, Nesrin because of her addicted sister, sick mother and creepy, controlling and manipulative boyfriend wants to leave Istanbul, and start afresh in France. The contrast in what they faced highlights the push and pull between tradition and what's new, and the fundamental conflict between wanting to be included and the need to be liberated. It also explores relationships between generations and social classes, in an Istanbul that can break or mend you, as happens in the case of the two women. It is awe-inspiring to see this beautifully filmed, unexpected, poetic production with complex characters whose lives echo the history and the architecture of Istanbul. Zehra is an architecture student and has been assigned a project to create her own encyclopedia of Istanbul about places she personally connects to. In the chaotic, big city, Zehra gets confused about her identity. Back in Amasya, her mother wears hijab and enforces the same on Zehra, but in Istanbul, Zehra's friends wear crop tops and belly-button jewelry. Because of her intelligence, looks and confidence, Zehra has no acceptance issues but inside her is a raging conflict about wearing hijab or not, would removing it make her any less devout in religion? Was she offending God? Did she need a piece of cloth to define her identity? She always runs off at prayer time to offer her prayers but hides it from her friends, because she fears rejection from them. Her struggle to scratch off her nail colour before her ablution, her settling on a beanie as a midway between hijab and modernity, but being told that a beanie is not acceptable in photographs used for state documents, beautifully reflect her turmol and confusion about who she really is, needs to be and should be doing. She argues that a beanie too covers hair like a head scarf, but it only ends up irritating the photographer who warns her that her photos might be rejected. Zehra gets two sets done, one in a beanie, the other in a head scarf! On the other hand, Nesrin who has built her life in Istanbul, feels suffocated here. Despite being a surgeon, Nesrin feels that something is lacking in her life. She wants peace of mind, she wants to evolve and grow as a person, which she feels is not impossible unless she severs ties with Istanbul. And of course there is Deigo, Nesrin's cat, an important catalyst in the storyline, who goes missing at a crucial point and being found at another crucial point provides timely twists of integral value to the story. Helin Kandemir as Zehra is a treat to watch. Her wide-eyed innocence, hope-lit eyes and optimism of a young woman stepping into a bustling, unfamiliar city is as convincing as her sad, angry and defeated demeanour when she realises her challenges in the life that she wants to embrace. In the beginning, you may not like her, you think she is a liar and manipulative, because Canan Erguder in the character of Nesrin takes your sympathy instantly as she offers her home to Zehra. Erguder's layered performance from cool, composed and subtle to someone who is emotionally imprisoned by the people in her life is impressive. The series makes you wonder if it aims to promote a liberal lifestyle or the conservative, traditional one. Whether it favours one above the other might confuse you, but it overall, it does not take sides. The beauty of the series is that it explores two mindsets without condemning any particular one. Most of us will relate to the struggle, but the series is not over dramatic and doesn't provide an answer to the conflict it addresses. Does only a modest way of living make you feel closer to the higher power? Does someone who wears hijab and follows a modern lifestyle have a dual personality? Zehra is always stuck between two opposite things, unable to choose between the two. At the end of it all, the series establishes that whether a woman wears modest clothing and prays five times a day or not, is completely her choice, and she must not be subjected to any judgement, scrutiny and social ostracisation even if she decides to distance herself from a traditional lifestyle and explore a liberal way of living. Every person has their own identity which is dependent on social conditioning. The bond that both main characters nurture is complex and beautifully portrayed. For those who wish to explore or revisit Istanbul street by street, and recapture the city's vibe and historical flavour, the series is an absolute must-watch. Each episode features a place in Istanbul which is a fabulously executed idea by Nacar. Almost any city can be related to in the same way. Would be a dream to see, Karachi, Peshawar or Lahore in the same way as Nacar approached Istanbul. For instance, the first episode opens with a description of Alcakdam Slope — a steep, gully-like street at a fire site, with half-stone, half-dirt steps, soon to be a stairway. The second episode opens with a description of Bezm-i Alem Valide Sultan Mosque, between Kabatas and Besiktas, opposite a large country gate, by the clock tower of Dolmabahçe Palace, called so because of its location. The third episode takes you to Carsanba Street in the Kocadede neighbourhood of Karagumruk, lined with wooden and concrete houses, curving between Mustekimzade and Valde Madrasah streets. The story later weaves into the plot, the Deniz Hospital — formerly Sakizagaci and Kasimpasa Naval Hospitals, now Istanbul Naval Hospital — a proud institution of Turkey and its army. Another episode features the Emek Movie Theatre— Emek Cinema which opened in 1958, at Istiklal Avenue and Yesilcam Street. Built in 1957 on the old Emek cinema site. At a point in the series, when you are truly immersed in the dramatic upheavals, the episode features Fener, Rocks, and Lighthouses showing dangerous rocks, straits, harbours, and capes from miles away during night-time to prevent dangers. It was used in battles with fire in the past. How could the series flaunting Istanbul miss out Galata, its dock's shanties, theatres, and taverns representing the contrast in the lives of the characters with the contrast in the beautiful views from the docks and the dirty shanties alongside. On the day of Nesrin's departure to France, Zehra bids farewell to Nesrin at the airport and on her way back, as she weeps, feels lost, broken and is quite disgusted with herself for not having an identity, suddenly, the lighthouse lights up — as a sign for Zehra to realise she's in Istanbul to discover life, not mourn it. There is an inherent connection between growing up and moving to a bigger city that I can relate to from the time, I taught at a private university in Karachi, where several students of mine were girls who had chosen the big, bad Karachi to pursue education, over their humble smaller towns in Sindh. They dreamt big, and were ambitious and were ready to take on new challenges and peer pressure, and run up the ladder two steps at a time, battling culture shock at the same time. Initially, they would hide, hesitate, stammer, dress weirdly and look nervous and anxious. But they didn't pause their struggle and it didn't take them long to confront their difficulties and conquer them. Over time, I would see most of the students, both young men and women bloom in appearance and personality, become confident, do well in studies and find friends as well as jobs as they adapt to the metropolis of Karachi. Nacar's series that resonates with any big city and the people there explores the modern-day society through the journeys of women, their societal and cultural expectations and prescriptions, culture shock, identity crisis and complex relationships, along with the potential of social media to create and destroy and what it means to practice or not practice a religion, using the elements of romance, music, drama, a medical emergency to shake up things, all ingredients that make a series work. The ending suggests a hint at another season as Zehra's mother is shocked at Zehra's appearance, her hair short like Nesrin's. Who knows what's going on in Selman Nacar's amazing mind!
Evening Standard
14-06-2025
- Evening Standard
Hidden Cyprus: your guide to the lesser-touristed side of the Mediterranean island
Signs near the famous Toyota Garage in Varosha with the Toyota lettering on top push the Turkish point that Britain and Greece dispossessed Turks of the land a hundred years ago. The two sides are still at loggerheads, but the strange beauty of this 28 Days Later landscape of luxury and waste is incomparable. I can't resist jumping in the sea beneath UN checkpoint 152 on top of an abandoned apartment block. I look back at the beach and the feeling of dread and desolation is something I will never forget. Yet on the beach itself there's a weird normality — a snack bar has opened and a couple of old guys smoke cigarettes and drink beer, then a Finnish couple appear and follow me into the sea.
