A new family-run traditional Turkish restaurant has opened in the heart of Colchester.

Alanya Turkish Cuisine opened last month with a spectacular fire-breather display in a building at the bottom of the town's North Hill.

The new business is owned by Handan Alanya, who took inspiration from her youth when deciding to open the restaurant.

She said: "I was born in London and my family used to run a business during the 90s so I was brought up in the restaurant industry.

"Then I went into banking where I have spent most of my career.

"My chef, Iyhan Kaya, has been a chef for ten years and we decided to get together and so something."

The business will be run by Ms Alanya, who lives in Westcliff, as well as her two sons so there will be a family feel to Alanya Turkish Cuisine, which of course bears the family name as well.

Gazette:

Business owner Handan Alanya

She said: "We chose to open in Colchester because there is only one other Turkish restaurant and we thought there was demand for another.

"Colchester is also a historic town and we hope to draw on the heritage of the area.

"There is also quite a big Turkish community in the town."

The restaurant, which is open seven days a week, serves authentic cuisine from Turkey in the Ottoman style.

Of course, different varieties of the iconic kebab for which the nation is most renowned are available, along with stews, fish and traditional mezze sides.

Gazette:

One of the Turkish dishes available 

Ms Alanya said: "It is all traditional Turkish food so most of the cooking is charcoal based.

"All of our food is freshly prepared and we buy the produce from suppliers London and Colchester. The meat is halal as well."

There are plans to hold charity evenings at the restaurant in the future and a Christmas menu is available for the festive season.

To find out more, visit https://bit.ly/2AHIEBJ.