Step into my cozy, air conditioned home in vibrant and safe Besiktas for an intimate small group Turkish cooking class. This is a hands on experience, not a demonstration. You will actively cook and taste a full traditional Turkish meal from scratch in a relaxed, social and welcoming setting. Whether you are a beginner or a food lover, this experience is designed to be personal, fun and truly memorable. Meet My Furry Co Hosts: My cozy home is shared with a very friendly cat and dog who love welcoming guests. They may join us and add to the warm, family like atmosphere. As we cook together, you will discover the traditions behind authentic Turkish cuisine. Once everything is ready, we will sit down together and enjoy the meal you created, just like a family. We will finish with traditional Turkish coffee, dessert and and—if you’d like—a fun coffee fortune reading. This is your chance to escape the heat, experience real local life and create lasting memories. Vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request. Please inform me of any dietary restrictions when booking.
This cooking experience was the highlight of our visit to Turkey. I wish I would’ve gone there first so I would have had a better appreciation of Turkish food. The experience was excellent and the company was even better.
> Özge was so warm and welcoming, and the food was delicious from start to finish. The preparation was relaxed and hands-on, and the highlight for me was learning how to make börek — something I'll definitely try at home. Highly recommended!
Cooking with Özge was a fantastic experience. She is a wonderful host and talented cook. The meal we made was delicious and enhanced by the great company (especially her lovely pets). I can’t wait to make these recipes again.
This was our first cooking class and Ozge has set a very high standard in terms of hospitality and experience. Instantly welcome into her home as strangers and when we left we felt like we’ve been friends for some time. The class was enjoyable and relaxing, there was no rush. Ozge is an amazing host and efficient. Before we realised, the meal was already prepared and laid out for consumption. Ozge finished off with dessert and coffee. The pace was just right, the setting was nice with background music and her lovely dog and cat sitting around us. We were also happy to meet another lady from Germany. Great local experience. Highly recommended.
Wonderful to be welcomed onto Ozge’s home for a really authentic cooking experience. We loved getting involved in the preparation of the delicious eggplant (aubergine for us Brits!) and zucchini (courgette) dishes. We also loved sharing the evening with Özge’s gorgeous dog and cat! Great to learn Turkish sayings as the session progressed - it was like visiting a good friend’s home for a lovely meal! Be prepared for the climb up several flights of stairs - worth it for the delicious food!
The recipes were practical and easy enough to make, that we know we’ll create these dishes at home. We especially loved the eggplant and zucchini dips!
Osge was delightful. Her English is perfect. She was an excellent teacher who made us all feel very comfortable and the good was healthy and delicious. She sent us the recipes as promised. And a super friendly cute dog. Highly recommend this experience.
We had a wonderful time visiting Ozge at her home and learning to cook several Turkish dishes. This was a very non-touristy experience and a refreshing change from the typical visit to buildings and monuments. Ozge is a delightful, down-to-earth person and we had a marvelous time sharing stories, cooking, and eating a delicious lunch. We highly recommend this experience for a glimpse into a regular Turkish home and neighborhood.
This was a delightful and very non-touristy experience. We went to Ozge’s home and cooked together. She is a genuine and unpretentious person and we had a lot of fun learning a few recipes, sharing stories, cooking together, and sharing the meal we made. No history, no boring recitation of facts, just a down to earth meeting in a regular Turkish home. We loved it.
Ozge was a perfect host for an event like this. She contacted me early. Made sure that I had adequate instructions to reach her home, which is where the class was held. She led us through the cooking of a homemade Turkish lunch. A very enjoyable experience. Learnt several things about cooking Turkish dishes for the future. I would highly recommend this experience
It was an amazing experience with Ögze. She even gave me the option to move the cooking class to another day with more people to have a more enjoyable experience. We ended up with a very tasty lunch and the recipes to reproduce at home 😊
Ozge’s cooking class was a great experience! It felt like cooking with an old friend and the limited number of people in the class made it so easy and fun to all get to know each other. The food was delicious, and Ozge was a great host. I highly recommend her class!!
This is a must! Ozge is a warm, welcoming host. She is full of insights about everything Istanbul, especially the delicious food. Thank you Ozge.
We had a lovely experience in Özge's home learning some Turkish recipes. Full of joy, with Turkish music, and nice talking. It was perfect. We definitely recommend it. Thank you again !
The cooking class with Özge was a wonderful few hours at her home learning how to prepare and cook a few basic delicious dishes: stuffed peppers, cheese filled crispy pastry rolls, smoky aubergine dip, salads. This is a very personal experience, like meeting an old friend: good conversation, learning about local foods and learning a bit more about Istanbul and Türkiye. I went with my 14-year-old son, and there was one other couple (I think the max no of guests is only 5), we all enjoyed it. We will definitely be trying these recipes at home!
My cooking class with Ozge was so fun...and I felt like I got a little feel for how to cook some of the amazing foods of Turkey! There was another couple from Australia and we just had such a nice time...felt like much more than a cooking class! And, we made some totally delicious food!...Even learned how to make one of the types of Boregi which I love! Thanks so much Ozge!!
Big thank you to Özge for hosting our group for a lunch cooking class. We really enjoyed the process of putting together such a lovely meal and learned a lot of fun tricks in the process. Extra points for the incredibly cute cat and dog. :)
We had such a fun time, it really added to our Istanbul experience. I would highly recommend!
We had a great time cooking with Ozge. We prepared a couple of different turkish dishes and had much fun and good talks. Ozge is a very kind woman and was motivated to show us as many tricks about the turkish way to cook as possible. We really recommend her course!
I had an amazing time with Özge and her lovely dog and cat! We prepared several traditional recipes together, and everything was absolutely delicious. Beyond the food, I truly enjoyed the warm atmosphere and the opportunity to share stories and experiences over our meal. If you’re looking for an authentic and memorable way to experience Turkish cuisine, I highly recommend spending time with Özge.
I had an amazing cooking experience with Özge. She was really nice, welcoming, and willing to share her cuisine in the best way! Don't miss this opportunity to discover Turkey more. I was also really glad that she adapted the menu to my vegetarian diet. Would 100% recommend the experience. Thank you, Özge!
Ozge was an amazing host and cook. She taught us how to prepare a delicious meal we plan on making in our home. We really wanted to do something that us brought us closer to locals and she delivered! The conversation was great, too. All around it was an unforgettable experience and one of the highlights is our trip!
It was such an awesome experience! The host Özge is such a loving and caring person. We didn't just get an insight to the Turkish cruise but also to the culture and people. We had a really nice evening in a comfy little home with her two pets! Thanks you so much, we really enjoyed it and would recomment 100%!
If you want to learn how to make some delicious classic Turkish food, this is the best, most fun way! Ozge is super friendly and fun to talk with. She keeps everything organized and moving at the right pace. We made Börek, a babaganoush variant and a delicious carrot dish. Would recommend!
What an incredible experience with Ozge’s Turkish home cooking class in Istanbul. We felt warmly welcomed the minute we walked in. The class was hands on and so much fun! We made stuffed peppers with ground meat, a delicious smoky eggplant tahini yogurt dip, crispy cheese-filled pastry rolls, and the most flavorful carrot tarator. Every dish was absolutely amazing! Ozge explained everything so well and made the experience feel personal, relaxed, and joyful.. It truly felt like cooking with a friend. If you are visiting Istanbul and want an unforgettable local experience, I highly recommend Ozge’s cooking class! One of the highlights of our trip.
This was a lovely cooking lesson where I learned to cook a traditional Turkish meal. The food was delicious and Ozge was a gracious, welcoming host. I will definitely try these recipes at home! I highly recommend this experience to anyone interested in learning more about Turkish cuisine in a relaxing environment!
We had such a wonderful experience with this cooking class! From the moment we arrived, she made us feel so welcome in her home. She was incredibly hospitable, kind, and thoughtful throughout the entire experience. The food was absolutely delicious, and it was so much fun learning how to prepare everything ourselves. One of the best parts was being given the recipes to take home so we can try making the dishes again ourselves. This felt much more personal and authentic than a typical class, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a memorable experience!
A great experience with Ozge, learning her recipes and about her life in Istanbul. Thanks!
I went with my mother and Özge taught us how to cook 3 dishes. She is bright friendly and informative. We loved being in her home and giving us so much insight into Turkish cookery. Highly recommend to take a class with her!
Came with my mother. Özge is a wonderful host! We cooked 3 dishes for a meal and had a great time laughing cooking eating. She is very attentive, informative and welcoming. Highly recommend! :)
My husband and I really enjoyed cooking with Ozge. She introduced us to lots of cooking secrets that I was excited to learn like using tomato paste, lemon juice and more! She is very friendly and it was wonderful to hear her childhood memories of cooking and eating with her family and how it related to the dishes we prepared. Highly recommend!
This was fantastic-love a cooking class in a home to see a bit of local Life and learn family dishes. Ozme was wonderful-highly recommended
Ozge's cooking class is a must whenever you come on a visit to Istanbul. Not not only will you be preparing lovely dishes to take back home to your own kitchen but also Ozge offers a perspective on the meals and the culture behind them that goes beyond the mere consumption of food. It's about sharing and learning from each other, all that in a lovely setting. Definitely recommended!
We had a lovely evening hosted by Ozge in her her. More than the cooking class and the food was the conversation and hospitality of being welcomed into a local's home and hearing about the culture and daily life in Istanbul. A wonderful, priceless experience that we would do again!
We had a truly lovely evening at Özge’s home. Our host was incredibly kind and welcoming, and with her help we prepared the dinner together. We arrived with two teenage boys, and they also had a wonderful time! The evening was made even more special by the host’s dog and cat. The dishes were easy and quick to prepare at home, and absolutely delicious. Özge is an excellent host! Thank you for the fantastic experience, the great conversations, and the warm hospitality!
The host is very friendly and nice, speaks english very well. Offered option of to visit the class on another day, since I would've been alone on the booking day. The food was very good, I had a lot of fun. Would do the dinner one aswell next time I visit Istanbul.
Ozge was the most welcoming host we could have! So kind and taught us so much about Turkey, plus over delicious foods. We tried so many new dishes we never thought to order and now we’re excited to try at home! Absolutely a must do and absolutely must ask for seconds!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An absolutely wonderful home cooking experience in Istanbul! Everything was super clean, and our host was incredibly polite, patient, and welcoming. The food was outstanding—authentic, flavorful, and prepared with so much care. What made it even more special was that they sent me the recipes afterward, so I can recreate the dishes at home. I would 100% do this experience every single time I visit Istanbul. Highly recommended for anyone who wants a real, heartfelt taste of Turkish home cooking.
We had a wonderful time learning to cook our Turkish dinner, Özge ensured everybody had a part to play and the resulting meal was delicious. Thank you again Özge, we really enjoyed learning to cook with you and it will be a highlight of our trip! (And the cuddles with Penny and Tao!)
It was a great experience and my host was very welcoming into her home. The food was delicious and I really learnt some great traditional recipes.
⸻ We had an amazing experience at Ozge’s in-home Turkish cooking class! She welcomed us like family and guided us step-by-step through preparing delicious traditional dishes, all while sharing stories and cultural tips that made the evening extra special. The food was incredible, and Ozge’s warm personality made the class both fun and memorable. Highly recommend this unforgettable local experience! This is a must do while visiting Istanbul.
Ozga’s cooking class was a wonderful addition to our trip to Turkey. It was insightful learning the spices and techniques for cooking Turkish meal. She even shared her recipes with us after so we could try them at home. If you’re thinking of booking, DO IT! It’s worth it for the food, fellowship, and ability to get to know a bit from a local on the area and culture.
Ogze was an awesome host and teacher. I had a great time learning and eating Turkish food, with a few bonus cuddles with her dog and cat. A must do in Istanbul!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ LGBTQ+ friendly 🌈 We had such an amazing time at Özge’s cooking class! My partner and I felt instantly welcome in her cozy and inviting home. Özge is such a warm and cheerful host, and she makes cooking together so fun and relaxed. The dishes we made were absolutely delicious, and Özge shared so many tips and stories that made the class feel personal. I also loved that the class is LGBTQ+ friendly 🌈 — it’s a space where everyone can feel comfortable and celebrated. We left feeling happy, full, and inspired to try the recipes at home. Highly recommend!
Ozge is really open and friendly, cooking with her is like cooking with a friend! She is very knowledgable and teaches in a passionate way. Not just a cooking class but also a very nice way to spend an evening in lovely company and get a feel of what it is to be a local in Istanbul!
Wow!! What an incredible experience. Had so much fun making some traditional Turkish Food. Ozge is such a friendly and lovely host and made me feel so welcome. The food was delicious and got learn so much about the food, people and culture. Highly recommend this experience.
Ozge's cooking class was perfect. My partner and I have taken cooking classes around the world and this was one of our favorites. We learned how to make Turkish stuffed peppers, crispy cheese filled pastry rolls and several spreads for the meze. There were five of us in the class and it was very hands on which is the best way to learn.
Good to be a Turkish home and neighborhood learning grandmother’s recipes! Exceptional host. Delicious food. Fun visit.
My boyfriend purchased this cooking class as a birthday gift for me, and it turned out to be one of the best gifts ever! 🎂 Özge was so kind — she even made a dessert and added a candle to celebrate, which was such a sweet touch. She’s such a cheerful and warm person, and we felt so comfortable in her home right away. Her cat was super playful, and we had so much fun playing with Penny, her friendly dog. The food we cooked together was absolutely delicious, and Özge explained everything with so much passion and joy. It was a wonderful and personal experience — definitely recommend! 💛
This cooking class with Ozge was one of the highlights of our trip to Istanbul! From the moment we arrived, she made us feel completely at home. We loved hearing her stories and learning about Turkish culture while cooking together. Every dish was so flavorful, and Ozge explained everything so clearly that we can’t wait to try them again at home. The whole experience felt warm, genuine, and personal — like spending an afternoon with a friend. And of course, we adored meeting Penny and Theo, her sweet little helpers! Highly recommend this experience to anyone who wants an authentic taste of local life in Istanbul.
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