The story you are about to read is the story of how I brought highly cosmopolite Berliners together for a picnic on June 21st, the day of the equinox.

When my friend from Yeni Rakı Deutschland team Dila said, “Why don't you set Yeni Rakı Yeni Rakı Uzun Demleme rakı table that you always talk about, that will consist of people from varied nations?" I quickly took action without getting caught up in the details: If people spend the majority of their summer at parks in this Europe's most green city I had to organize this rakı table outdoors, at a park I love and cherish.

Then my next task was to meet the standards I set by doing years of business at a picnic without sacrificing quality. I decided to set my picnic just as I lived my life; feeding on Berlin while getting inspired from Istanbul that I pay monthly visits; so the right way was Ferhan's way.

The first thing on my to-do list was to decide the location of the picnic. As if it can be any easier :))

I eliminated the parks that are a bit outside of the city off hand. The big parks almost forest-like and seem infinite to an Istanbulite like me who is a stranger to green. I decided to Körnerpark which is central, compact, well-kept and mostly unknown. It looked like a palace's garden rather than a park. I liked the ornamental pool, botanical plants that can give you ease, the lawn full of flowers and the people sunbathing on it, doing yoga, eating drinking together on every corner. I was also fond of its terrace which has an art gallery and a cafe. It reminded me of Maçka Park with its liberating feeling in the middle of the city. (I like to take a walk in the early hours of the day and listen to the podcasts of 'Açık Radyo' channel.)

My first goal was to set a table in front of the art gallery, bringing the cafe into play to have flavor support. But I learned from a kind young man that the cafe will not be opening this year due to pandemic restrictions. Luckily my guest of honor and our precious customer since day one, Jochen Arndt the photographer came to me with a perfect offer. (When I look back, I congratulate myself for scouting the locations with Jochen who has a photographic intuition)

He pointed at me a giant tree in the corner which can embower my lovely portable picnic table of 1.80 size, its banks and some director chairs. (There was a wall behind the tree; we thought we can put the table near the wall and hide beneath the frizzly shrubberry!)

As I discover these lucky details;

The anxiety I feel turns into sheer joy. With Jochen we decide to make that wall a part of our setting: we dress it with an illustration of Işıl Kurt, the founder of design brand Laika (I admire her works deeply by the way). After saying, “Yes, this is a Ferhanish detail," I give out the breath that I forget to exhale. My old and well-conditioned 'Tokat' made cover, steals the role from the park with its vivid colors and elegant patterns!

Even I was surprised to carry my fondness of black accessories to a supposedly cheerful picnic. 'Black' gets the final say and black linen napkins from Istanbul bring much-wanted sophistication to the table.

As I explained detailed in my previous blog post, Yeni Rakı Yeni Rakı Uzun Demleme will be the choice of people who wants to get out of the safe zone because I think the Yeni Rakı Uzun Demleme matches well with the tastes that are far far away from the Turkish cuisine. I believe this rich palate is the reason why I love this craft rakı so deeply. Also, I love its mild taste, the idea that we finally have a rakı that corresponds with the Italians 'aperativo' habit and its craft culture identity that Berliners love. I see it as a great step for increasing the number of global rakı lovers.

So, what are we going to offer to people alongside Yeni Rakı Yeni Rakı Uzun Demleme in the picnic? Something easy suited for a picnic setting, something that won't be overshadowed by the Yeni Rakı Uzun Demleme's savor, and something 'new'. How can we make this formula a reality?

At that moment, I recall Per's (berlinfoodstories) advice (I think he is not just one of the best social media food influencers in Berlin but in the world), his favorite meze place in Berlin – Fes Berlin. During the first meet&taste visit I pay to Fes Berlin, I get excited about the modern approach they bring to the classical mezes; then I get sluggish after eating all the foods I miss but taking care of an important component of the event livens me up.

Don't forget to choose plant-based mezes! As you might predict, unlike Istanbul veganism in Berlin is not considered as niche for a long time. Therefore, we have to consider this and be prepared.

As I am thinking of something alongside vegan mezes, this time the inspiration comes from my close friend Özgür who supports me with this project. He recalls the Middle Eastern chef in the Karl Marx Street who can make various tandoori bread and people seem to can't have enough of it. He instantly beams himself up to his shop and while he's there, he doesn't forget to bring lots of ice which is obviously going to be consumed greatly in this hot weather, and bottled water from Turkish brands to have an Istanbul touch at the picnic.

As Jochen pointed out during the scouting, our music solution is; Özgür's playlist that consists of Turkish psychedelic songs; this playlist then gets recognition from the Icelandic, Italian, German, Austrian, Turkish-Berliners guests. On this longest day's night, they leave the picnic at the same time all giving out eloquent words.

I enjoy the park by myself after that, relaxed, joyous with all the Yeni Rakı Uzun Demleme I consumed and while ideas, new ideas pondering in my mind.​