Course itinerary
Right in the city centre in the Nisantasi area of Istanbul is enthusiastic cook and slow food member Selin’s private apartment where you’ll learn to cook delicious Turkish dishes using local produce as well as visiting the Spice market.
Under the guidance of your fun and friendly Turkish host Selin who is passionate about Turkish home cooking, you will immerse yourself in Turkish life to discover the gastronomic delights of Istanbul.
Selin will also take you on a walking tour of Istanbul’s spice bazaar where you’ll discover the sights and smells of the amazing Turkish spices that cross Asia and Europe for a culinary insight into local life.
Go learn to cook Turkish dishes on this fun hands-on Turkish cookery course and spice market visit that will give you an insight into Istanbul’s culinary life.
Suitability
- Suitable for all levels from complete beginners to experienced foodies
- Your host is Turkish but speaks perfect English
- Minimum age: 7 (children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult)
- Courses run for a minimum of 2 people but singles are welcome to join existing groups
Turkish Cookery Course And Market Visit Start Days
- This course in Istanbul runs Monday – Saturday year round
- There are no market tours on Sundays as many of the food shops are closed which means the market experience is limited
- Cooking classes start at 10.30am and finish at around 2.30pm when you’ll head out to the spice market for your tour that will last around 1 hour finishing your day around 3.30pm
Turkish Cooking Course Itinerary
- On arrival at Selin’s house around 10.30am, she will discuss the menu for that day’s cooking class with you
- Cooking classes run for around 3-4 hours and after cooking you'll sit down together to enjoy the meal you’ve learned to cook accompanied by traditional Turkish drinks, finishing with a good Turkish coffee
- Note: wine and beer is available on request
- After lunch at 2.30pm head out for a stroll around the spice market and discover a bustling labyrinth of stands selling wonderful spices used in the local food. Meet the local sellers and immerse yourself in market life which makes for great street theatre
What Will I Learn?
- Courses concentrate on the traditional cuisine of Turkey using its exotic array of spices and flavourings
- At the start of your stay, Selin will discuss the daily menu and what you will cover during your one day Turkish cookery course
- During your visit to the spice market, you’ll discover it's local produce, history and origins
- This extensive market was built in the 17th century to finance the upkeep of the nearby mosque, Yeni Cami. The bazaar is often referred to as the "Egyptian Market" due to the fact that spices used to come to the market from India and Southeast Asia via Egypt
- There's plenty of opportunity to buy some local spices under the guidance of Selin
Sample Turkish Menus
Dishes vary according to the season and what food is available but may include:
- Sigara Boerek
- Flaky Turkish Boerek
- Artichokes cooked in Olive Oil
- Aromatic Bell Peppers
- Split Belly Eggplant
- Stuffed Chard Leave Dolma
- Bulgur Pilaf
- Shepherds Salad
- Stuffed Apricots or Figues
- Dietary requests can be catered for including vegetarians if advised at the time of booking
About Your Chef
- Your host is the easy going, fun and friendly Selin who is not a professional chef but a passionate and enthusiastic cook who has learned the skills of Turkish home cooking over the years and who now loves nothing better than teaching visitors to cook traditional local dishes
- Selin is a member of the Slow Food movement and the International Culinary Tourism Association
Go learn to cook in Istanbul on this fun one day Turkish cooking course with a fun and exciting market tour that’s guaranteed to tantalise your taste buds.