There comes a time in every person’s life when he/she is finally ready to learn how to make a mean pilav. Well, maybe not *every* person, but certainly those people who take the whole becoming-an-adult business quite seriously want to learn to cook at least a few dishes to near perfection. And yes, we can always ask the ultimate kitchen gurus (a.k.a mothers and grandmothers) but Learn to Cook Istanbul offers an alternative where learning to cook becomes an event in and of itself.
The super sweet flight-attendant-turned-chef Melis is the head chef and instructor here, offering daily, hands-on workshops on Turkish cuisine, geared towards not only tourists but also locals. The workshops are very relaxed so you can be as involved as you like. You can just watch your friends do all the cooking while you sip your wine, or get your hands dirty at your own station with all the utensils and ingredients – it’s completely up to you.
A typical workshop begins with an introduction to Turkish cuisine with a glass of Turkish tea or coffee. The cooking begins with two cold meze dishes, continues with a hot starter, a main or two and dessert. All workshops come with Turkish wine pairings or rakı, depending on what the participants prefer. Part of the workshop is dedicated to an introduction to Turkish wine and rakı.
Meşrutiyet Caddesi No.5 Kat 4, Asmalımescit Mahallesi, Beyoğlu – 0530 108 98 26
Classes are held every day from 3pm to 7pm.
If you want to learn to cook specific dishes, then you can let Melis know in advance and she can arrange a custom-made class for you. For further details, check out their website.
