What's Germany and Turkey's battle of döner kebabs about?

A conflict is brewing between Turkey and Germany – over the birthplace of the humble döner kebab.

Layers upon layers of lamb, beef or chicken are marinated in a blend of spices, herbs and sometimes yoghurt, then placed on a large skewer and cooked on a vertical spit.

A heap of your choice of spitted meat is then served on a plate with rice and vegetables, in a pita or wrap - this is the dish that the two nations are going head to head over.

Its origin is credited at 19th century Turkey. When Turkish migrants relocated to Germany throughout the 1970s and 1980s, they introduced the döner kebab – making it a staple.

Earlier this year, Turkey filed an application to have the dish protected by the European Union but Germany is having none of it.

This application, if approved, would give the food the same protection as the Italian buffalo mozzarella, the Neapolitan pizza and Spanish jamon serrano.

Turkey’s International Doner Federation (Udofed) wants the definition of the dish to adhere to a strict list of criteria.

In its application, Udofed hails the origins during the Ottoman Empire, citing a recipe found in manuscripts dating from 1546.

But that has sparked an uproar in Germany - the German capital claims the döner kebab to be a local invention.

Legend has it, Kadir Nurman was the first to put the meat in flatbread in 1972 and invented the version of doner that is so beloved in Germany,’ according to the city’s website - hence the battle of the kebab's origin.