Agriculture, food, art, economics and science come together at the same table. Sponsored by Özmen Un, BBM Kitchen Talks is preparing to reinterpret humanity’s journey from production to consumption through the perspectives of different disciplines under this year’s theme, “The Civilization Collection of Pleasure.”

Held as part of IDMA Istanbul, one of the world’s leading gatherings for milling technologies, and organized by International Fair Organization Inc., BBM Kitchen Talks will bring industry professionals together for the second time on June 25-27, 2026. First launched in 2024 and receiving significant attention, the event will once again be moderated by agricultural and food writer Mine Ataman and held under the main sponsorship of Özmen Un.

Over the course of three days, distinguished figures from the worlds of agriculture, food, culture, economics, psychology, art and science will gather on the same platform. The objective is not merely to discuss industry developments, but to reassess the fundamental dynamics that shape humanity’s modes of production, consumption and living through the lens of different disciplines.

Mine Ataman

Tables Carry the Memory of Civilization

Throughout human history, agriculture and food have never been merely about meeting basic needs. Dining tables have also served as spaces where cultures meet, civilizations take shape and knowledge is transmitted across generations. The journey of a grain of wheat, the cross-continental voyage of a spice, or the way bread is produced have influenced not only eating habits but also the development of civilization itself.

Today, however, food and agriculture are undergoing a new transformation. Consumers no longer purchase products alone; they also buy experiences, stories, identities and lifestyles. This shift is reshaping the entire value chain, from agricultural production and food manufacturing to branding and retail.

This year’s BBM Kitchen Talks theme, “The Civilization Collection of Pleasure,” seeks to trace the contours of this very transformation.

How Is the Pleasure Economy Transforming Agriculture and Food?

Today, consumer preferences can no longer be explained solely by necessity. The experience economy, social media culture, digital platforms and data-driven marketing systems increasingly determine what people consume, why they consume it and how they consume it.

The value of a product is now measured not only by its nutritional qualities but also by the experience it offers, the story it tells and the emotional impact it creates. This shift directly affects the agriculture and food sectors. From production models and branding strategies to consumer expectations and global trade dynamics, numerous areas are being shaped by new realities.

BBM Kitchen Talks will seek answers to the following questions:

• How is the pleasure economy transforming eating habits?
• How does consumer culture influence the culture of production?
• How are agricultural systems adapting to changing consumer demands?
• Can gastronomy be considered an art form?
• How can cultural heritage be preserved in a world increasingly guided by algorithms?
• How do the biological foundations of human behavior shape consumption patterns?
• How can the vulnerabilities facing global agricultural trade be managed?
• How can a balance be established between the experience economy and sustainable food systems?

An Interdisciplinary Perspective on Agriculture and Food

BBM Kitchen Talks does not approach agriculture and food solely through the lenses of production, technology and trade. The event also explores the influence of art, economics, psychology, biology and culture on the agriculture-food ecosystem.

Today, agriculture exists within a multilayered system shaped not only by soil, but also by data, algorithms, consumer behavior and the experience economy. We are witnessing a new era in which stories, brands and lifestyles compete alongside products.

Leading Voices at BBM Kitchen

Prof. Dr. Hüsamettin Koçan / Founder of Baksı Museum 

Prof.Dr. Hüsamettin Koçan

Prof. Dr. Hüsamettin Koçan, founder of the Baksı Museum—one of Türkiye’s most significant cultural and artistic initiatives—will discuss the transformative power of art in human life.

While examining the relationship between aesthetic experience, cultural memory and creativity, the following question will be explored:

“Can gastronomy be regarded as an art form because of the sensory experiences it creates in people?”

Drawing on his approach of bringing Anatolia’s cultural memory into dialogue with contemporary art, Koçan will evaluate the differences between enduring cultural values and fleeting consumption experiences.

Hilal Bebek / Psychologist

Psikolog Hilal Bebek

Psychologist Hilal Bebek will examine the growing culture of experience and consumption in the modern world.

• Why are people constantly seeking new experiences?
• Why is the sense of satisfaction gradually diminishing in the age of social media?
• How does the cycle of constant consumption affect individuals and societies?

The discussion will explore the dopamine economy, the attention economy and the impact of the digital age on human behavior from a psychological perspective.

Abdurrahman Yıldırım

Abdurrahman Yıldırım / Economist

Abdurrahman Yıldırım, one of Türkiye’s most influential economic commentators for many years, will discuss the future of the global agricultural economy.

The session will address the effects of climate change, geopolitical risks, logistical challenges, population growth and evolving consumption habits on agricultural trade, while also sharing insights into the future direction of the sector.

Can Kayacılar

Can Kayacılar / Industrial Scientist

Industrial scientist Can Kayacılar will explore the biological foundations of human behavior and the scientific mechanisms behind consumption habits.

Future consumption models will be examined through the perspectives of reward systems in the brain, taste perception mechanisms, data analytics, artificial intelligence applications and behavioral science.

Discussing the Future of Food Systems and the Future of Humanity

The purpose of BBM Kitchen Talks is not merely to ask questions, but to open the door to new ways of thinking. Throughout the three-day program, experts from different disciplines will interpret the agriculture and food ecosystem through the lens of civilization’s consumption culture, generate shared insights and develop new perspectives for the future.

Because today humanity must rethink not only what it produces, but also why it consumes.

While seeking to understand the accumulated wisdom of the past, “The Civilization Collection of Pleasure” also aims to shed light on the production and consumption models of the future. Taking place at the intersection of agriculture, food, art, economics and science, BBM Kitchen Talks invites participants not simply to attend an event, but to embark on a comprehensive intellectual journey into the future of civilization itself.