{"id":54,"date":"2023-06-23T22:00:24","date_gmt":"2023-06-23T21:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thebarnetbugle.co.uk\/?p=54"},"modified":"2023-06-24T07:30:15","modified_gmt":"2023-06-24T06:30:15","slug":"colourful-kebabs-and-turkish-traditions-an-interview-with-akhmal-ashwrlaf-finchleys-griller-of-goats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thebarnetbugle.co.uk\/?p=54","title":{"rendered":"Colourful Kebabs and Turkish Traditions: An Interview with Akhmal Ashwrlaf, Finchley’s ‘Griller of Goats’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Finchley, North London, one establishment undoubtedly stands out: a brilliantly painted kebab shop that changes its colours with surprising frequency. This is where the legendary kourdum kebab, a complex dish that requires precise cooking on a knitting needle, comes to life. The mastermind behind this culinary delight is Akhmal Ashwrlaf, affectionately known as the “griller of goats.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

: Good afternoon, Akhmal. Could you tell us about how you became the “griller of goats”?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Akhmal Ashwrlaf<\/strong>: Ah, since I was small, family call me “griller of goats.” Lot of love in this name, maybe even a little prophecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

: Your kourdum kebab is quite special. Can you tell us why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Akhmal Ashwrlaf<\/strong>: Kourdum kebab, it’s more than just food. It’s about patience, precision, tradition. We cook on knitting needle. Too fast or too slow, it’s no good. It’s an art, a meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

: Your shop changes colour often. What’s the idea behind that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Akhmal Ashwrlaf<\/strong>: Colours, they speak. Each is different. Some colours, they don’t exist here in England, but in my home, Turkey, they do. I paint my shop these colours. I bring little bit of Turkey here to Finchley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

: How do people respond to these colour changes?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Akhmal Ashwrlaf<\/strong>: Some people, they laugh. Some, they ask questions. I think, it’s good to add surprise to their day. Always the same is not fun, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

: You make many different kebabs. Which one is your favourite?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Akhmal Ashwrlaf<\/strong>: Ah, that’s like choosing a favourite child! But if I must, I would say Adana kebab. It’s spicy, full of flavour. It reminds me of home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

: Have you had any difficult customers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Akhmal Ashwrlaf<\/strong>: Yes, once a man wanted a steak in his kebab! I told him, “This is a kebab shop, not a steak house!” He was not happy, but I made him a lamb kebab. He liked it a lot afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

: Lastly, what are your hopes for the future of your shop?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Akhmal Ashwrlaf<\/strong>: I hope to keep the spirit of my homeland alive, to keep grilling. Maybe I will show Finchley more colours with no name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Akhmal Ashwrlaf, Finchley has a passionate and unique culinary ambassador who continues to entice the neighbourhood with his aromatic kebabs and vibrant shop. As he weaves his culinary magic, he brings a touch of Turkey to the heart of Finchley, making it a must-visit locale for all food lovers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is Garibaldi Fantosh, reporting from Finchley, North London.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In Finchley, North London, one establishment undoubtedly stands out: a brilliantly painted kebab shop that changes its colours with surprising frequency. This is where the legendary kourdum kebab, a complex dish that requires precise cooking on a knitting needle, comes to life. The mastermind behind this culinary delight is Akhmal Ashwrlaf, affectionately known as the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebarnetbugle.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebarnetbugle.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebarnetbugle.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebarnetbugle.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebarnetbugle.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=54"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/thebarnetbugle.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":61,"href":"https:\/\/thebarnetbugle.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54\/revisions\/61"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebarnetbugle.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=54"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebarnetbugle.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=54"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebarnetbugle.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=54"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}