My Breakfast: 2 Boiled Eggs, Tomatos, Olives
My Knives: Wusthof Chef Knife
Most Overused Spice: Crashed Red Turkish Pepper
Favorite Foodie Destination: Slider Station – Mais Alghanim
Favorite Kitchen Gadget: Copper Pan
Favorite Food Aroma: Moms home food
Q: Why did you first get into cooking?
From childhood I have always liked to be in the kitchen, where families get together, and spend my days there, as it’s my passion! In the kitchen there is no limit! I can use my imagination as much as possible, which always makes me feel better and more passionate.
Q: Where were you before you came to Kuwait?
Before I came to Kuwait, I was in my hometown Istanbul.
Q: Describe your favorite dish from your home country.
Etli Yaprak Sarma – Meat and rice stuffed grape leaves.
This is a traditional dish from Turkey, and is my favorite Turkish dish. This is traditional stuffed grape leaves or dolma – a mixture of meat and rice and special seven spices rolled in tender grape leaves cooked in a slow fire and served with a homemade yogurt.
Q: Name three ingredients you can’t live without in the kitchen.
Olive oil, Garlic and Tomato.
Q: What is the most important part of a sandwich?
Freshly baked sandwich bread and fresh ingredients.
Q: How does your personality differ inside and outside the kitchen?
Totally different. In the kitchen I’m really nervous and little bit crazy because everything needs to be perfectly served and my customer needs to enjoy their food. Outside of the kitchen I’m a calm person.
Q: When you’re not cooking, what do you do for fun?
Gathering with friends and shopping.
Q: If you weren’t a chef, what would you like to be?
I would like to be a Pilot, definitely because, the sky is the limit.
Q: If you could choose, what would your ‘last supper’ be?
I would like it to be in a nice fish restaurant next to the Bosporus in Istanbul. The menu would start with a grilled calamari. Main course would be Fried Turbot fish served with baked potatoes and baby aragula. For dessert I’d have a Chocolate Souffle with Vanilla ice cream. For after dinner digestive, of course I would like to have turkish tea.
