Gastronomy Summit in Yessentuki: How Artem Kantsev United the Caucasian Mineral Waters’ Top Chefs at the Kazakhstan Resort House

On May 13 and 15, the Kazakhstan Resort House transformed for two unforgettable days into the region’s premier destination for culinary artistry. The resort hosted an exclusive master class dedicated to the preparation of traditional Kazakh cuisine, bringing together top executive chefs and culinary artisans from premier wellness resorts across the Caucasian Mineral Waters region. This landmark event marks a key step in the resort’s inspired strategy to revitalize its menus and passionately promote the rich heritage of traditional Kazakh culinary culture.

The master class featured a very special guest and headliner, Artem Kantsev — the visionary Brand Chef of the renowned Qazaq Gourmet restaurant in Astana. His restaurant is celebrated as the first and only dining establishment in Kazakhstan to earn a place on the prestigious global 50 Best Discovery list, while also capturing the title of «Best Kazakh Cuisine Restaurant» at the prestigious WHERETOEAT KAZAKHSTAN 2024 National Restaurant Awards. For Artem, this is more than just an accolade — it is a heartfelt validation of his true mission: to honor and preserve the authentic, time-tested flavors of traditional Kazakh recipes while reimagining them through a fresh, contemporary lens.

The ultimate goal is to preserve that very taste—the one that brings back our fondest childhood memories. «Modern techniques may transform the presentation and texture, but the heart and soul of the dish must always remain unchanged,» explains Kantsev.

Under his expert guidance, the culinary team at the Kazakhstan Resort House, alongside guest executive chefs from the premier wellness retreats of the Caucasian Mineral Waters, prepared seven exquisite dishes of traditional Kazakh cuisine:

  1. Horsemeat Bursha-Et paired with a local Caucasian herb sauce
  2. Horsemeat Kuyrdak
  3. Horsemeat Pâté topped with a wild cherry gelée
  4. Horsemeat and lamb manti
  5. Traditional Kazakh-style lamb served with delicate sheets of pasta
  6. Shuzhuk Syrne (Traditional slow-roasted horsemeat sausage and potatoes)

The crowning jewel of the menu was the seventh dish—a grand, authentic Beshbarmak, lovingly prepared and served for all the invited guests. The feast received glowing praise—guests and participants highlighted both the authentic flavors and the elegant, modern presentation.

This master class marks a defining milestone in elevating the Kazakhstan Resort House’s presence as a destination where authentic, time-honored traditions seamlessly meet the highest modern standards of luxury hospitality. Traditional Kazakh cuisine has become a permanent feature of the wellness resort’s regular menu, and exclusive events like this empower the culinary team to continuously refine their techniques and introduce inspiring new dishes.

As shared by the leadership team at the Kazakhstan Resort House, this collaboration with Artem Kantsev is a core element of their long-term strategy to expand and celebrate the national Kazakh culinary experience. Upcoming plans include a further revitalization of the dining menu, beautifully blending these rich traditions with the principles of healthy nutrition for which the Kazakhstan Resort House is so widely celebrated.