If Doner were to be a Profession!

In Germany döner is known to be consumed by more Germans than Turks. The anticipated turnover proceeds of döner is approximately 4 billion Euro. The ever-increasing consumption of  döner,  which is now also popular in countries outside Europe, brings with it certain sectoral problems that need to be surmounted. The generalization of each döner scandal in Germany and the effects on the sector, in general, of the unfavorable image created by the dishonest intent of some dealers can only be overcome by sectoral awareness.

The döner makers, acting with this in mind, for the first time decided to come together under the umbrella of an organization in December 2006 in an effort to be accepted as a professional body in Germany.

Presently, 61 döner makers are members of the Döner Society Enterprise Group. İsmail Birol was appointed the General Secretary of the Society in order for the business to be conducted in a professional manner.

In Germany each sector which has professional status acquires self control, sets its own quality standards and employs people trained in schools in those professions. As an example, while ice cream making is accepted as a profession, the döner sector in Germany is not yet considered to be a professional sector in spite of its large size, turnover and number of workers.

The döner makers united within the Chamber of Döner Entrepreneurs are lobbying to be accepted as a profession. The döner makers, led by Yunus Altınsoy, owner of Köln-based Avrasya Döner, are trying their best to establish an organization that would help prevent unfair competition and sham production, and would help to overcome deficiencies in the number of representatives and staff.  

It will take a long time for the organization to get the approval of the German authorities and gain legal status. In this long process, in order for the organization to be granted autonomy,  it will be necessary that the trade associations, labor, and professional organizations accept the need for it to become a professional field, that the members of the parliament adopt this idea in principle, that the concerned ministries carry out the necessary work and introduce required legislations, and that the omnibus act and implementation clauses and regulations be prepared by the Federal and State Assemblies. Even though the process seems to require a very long time, Altınsoy says that so far there has been no adverse remarks from people who are familiar with the topic and they seem to be getting a lot of support from people.

Altınsoy states that when they are granted autonomy, they will be able to employ 1000 workers in the döner sector. That is, 1000 workers who will work in the duration between production of döner and its presentation to customers will be able to start getting training immediately. Altınsoy says, “We took the the path of considering döner to be a profession.  We have covered a significant distance in two years and are still continuing to do so. Döner production shall definitely be accepted as a profession if we attend to it strongly.”

Another point of concern for döner makers is that of unfair competition. Some makers employ savage efforts, violating rules of competition in the commercial sense and thus unnecessarily negatively affecting the sector as a whole.

The Döner Chamber hopes to overcome scientific and ethical inadequacies and wishes to develop a competitive mentality not from viewpoint of costs, but in terms of quality, creativity and vision. Even if few in numbers, the sham production by some makers is another matter of concern for the  Döner Chamber.

THE CHAMBER OF DÖNER ENTREPRENEURS
Aga Döner Produktion
Ali Baba
Arslan Kebap Produkte
Arslan's Party Service Döner Kebab
Avrasya GmbH
Best Dönerproduktion GmbH
Best Kebab
Bilir Döner
Birkan
Bos
Bulut Döner Produktion
Cagras Paradies
Can Döner Produktion
Canlar Döner
Celik Döner
Chez Altun
Dem Döner GmbH
Devran Döner
Dostlar GmbH
Efe Döner Produktion
Efendi Döner Produktion
Eroglu Döner GmbH und Co. KG
Ersko Meat e.K.
Eura-Döner
Euro Döner GmbH+Co. KG
Euro Tec Döner Produktion
Eurofood Distribution
Flok Marketing GmbH
Gök GmbH
Gouvermet Döner
Istanbul Döner Produktion
Kalite Döner Produktion
Kardelen Döner Produktion
King GmbH
Köyüm GmbH
Lezzet GmbH
Mercan Döner
Namm Döner
Natura La Mediterranea
Nefis-Et GmbH
Orient International Food
Özbek Tat GmbH
Özgüven Döner Produktion
Öztat Döner Produktion
Öztürk Döner
Pamukkale
Pasa Döner Produktion
Pasa Kebab
Pergamon GmbH
Perk Imbiss
Sahan Dönder Produktion
Sahinler Dönerproduktion und Fleischgroßhandel GmbH
Sedat Kebab
Snack Ali Baba
Snack Cappadoce
Snack Efes Epinal
Star Döner Produktion
Star Food Company
Sultan Eurofood
Team Brothers GmbH
Yeni Kapadokya Fleischwaren Herstellung GmbH