• Barış Apartmanı - Experience the warmth of an authentic Istanbul home and learn to prepare a traditional Turkish meal from scratch. This unique opportunity is hosted by a local chef who, after years in professional kitchens, chose to share her passion for cooking with others around her own table.

Begin your journey with Turkish coffee and engaging conversation, then dive into creating classic dishes such as zeytinyagli dolma (stuffed vine leaves), seasonal meze, and hearty main courses. Each recipe is accompanied by its own story, detailing its regional origins, the person who taught it, and its cultural significance. No prior cooking experience is necessary, as Esra will guide you through each step at a comfortable pace.

While the meal is cooking, you’ll help set the table, perhaps learn a few Turkish phrases, and by the time you sit down to enjoy the meal, it feels more like dining with a friend than attending a class. Recipes are accessible on LokalBond Recipes, allowing you to recreate the dishes at home.

• Dinner
• Tea and coffee
• Meals

• Tips and gratuities.
• Film My Experience - A friend will casually film your experience.

• Yaprak Sarma & Biber Dolma - Stuffed Vine Leaves and Bell Peppers with Olive Oil
• Peynirli Sigara Böreği - Crispy cheese-filled pastry rolls (Turkish Pastry)
• Eggplant Meze - Roasted eggplant salad, which is a common meze

This is not a studio or a demonstration kitchen. It’s a home in Tesvikiye, featuring a genuine stove, authentic family recipes, and a host who once cooked professionally but now cooks out of passion. Esra’s experience ensures both skill and warmth; someone who understands precisely why a dish succeeds and why it holds significance. Only small groups are welcomed, ensuring each guest receives personal attention and the table remains uncrowded.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.