Mezeler, hors d'oeuvres, are an intriguing aspect of the Turkish cuisine. These tantalizing appetizers are eaten with raki, the anise-flavored national drink of Turks, until the main course is served. A raki table, as the spread is called, can become a prolonged gustatory affair. Family and friends gather around it for good talk and good music, often lasting to the wee morning hours.

Lavinia and Sinan Karahan, chefs of the famed Turkish Delights & Topkapi Dreams Dinner, will prepare and deliver a raki table and other repertoire of the grand Turkish cuisine for your next backyard barbeque.

Whet your palates with six delectable small plates, such as peynirli borek (savory cheese pastry) zeytinyagli barbunya (fresh cranberry beans in olive oil) and patlican salatasi (eggplant salad) served with pide (flat bread). Savor them with two bottles of raki. For the main course: sis kebap (lamb skewers), ready for you to grill. Alongside it will be pilav (rice), domates ve hiyar salatasi (tomato & cucumber salad) and another vegetable dish. Two bottles of kirmisi sarap (red wine) will complement them. Ingredients for Turk kahvesi (Turkish coffee) will be provided. Conclude your meal with a refreshing kavun dolmast (stuffed melon), a surpriz tatlisi (sweet surprise) and the best Turkish Delights, of course!

Good for 10 people. Food, raki, wine and coffee will be delivered to winner's home on a weekend in September 2009.