Former quantum chemist, cartoonist and passionate professional chef at a Mexican-Mediterranean fusion restaurant and owner of an Ottoman cuisine-themed catering company. Well trained in the Mediterranean and unknown but rather very unique Ottoman palace cuisine (recipes from 16th-17th century that were served only to sultans and honoured guests), and a playful chef with the ability to create a wide assortment of tasty comfort foods and flavour combinations that you have never tried before. Regarding my cooking style, I can say that I avoid the look-good-taste-mediocre mentality of the majority of high-end restaurants, I believe in deep, exciting flavour combinations with minimalist plates, and avoid putting uninspiring-toneless tastes on the plate just because they look good or "fine-dining". I like to provide tasty high-end menus that keep the cosiness and warmth of home-cooked food

For me, cooking is...

science, fun and creating something new.

I learned to cook at...

I was very blessed to learn cooking from talented chefs of various restaurants in Istanbul.

A cooking secret...

is to enjoy what I am doing, my strong knowledge of the science behind all cooking and flavours as a chemistry graduate.

My menus

Mediterranean Pulse

STARTER

All inclusive

Carrot 'Tarator' - Roasted carrot, walnut, garlic, yoghurt

Fava - Creamed broad beans, seasoned with dill and served with a drizzle of olive oil

Cretan 'Ezme' - Paste of feta and ricotta cheese, dill, olive oil, pistachio

Hummus with green olive, pistachio topping

Beetroot salad

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Almond soup with caramalised onions and roasted almond crumbles

Ayran Asi - Yogurt, farro, chickpeas, dried mint

Roasted aubergine, red pepper salad with pomegranate syrup, orange vinegar

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Turkish-Style Braised Green Beans In Olive Oil

Celeriac, pearl and carrot stew in orange and lemon

Cauliflower steaks with spicy green lentils and lemon-tahini sauce

DESSERT

All inclusive

Helatiye - Milk pudding infused with gum mastic, served with almonds, pistachios and seasonal fruits in a light rose water syrup

Oven-baked pumpkin in syrup, candied almonds, cheese cream, tahini and lavender sprinkles

Mexiterranean Fusion

STARTER

All inclusive

Mediterranean Guacamole - Avocado, red onion, tomato, sun-dried tomato, parsley, feta cheese, green olives, olive oil

Chili Lime Hummus

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Roasted Cauliflower, Lentil Taco with Lime-Tahini Sauce

Tantuni Taco - Flour tortilla, spicy chicken breast, tomato, onion, lemon, parsley

Halloumi Cheese Pineapple Salsa Taco - Flour tortilla, halloumi cheese, pineapple, tomato, red onion, parsley, lime, lemon

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Sucuk Quesadilla - Red and yellow peppers, corn, onion, paprika paste, spicy Turkish garlic sausage, cheddar cheese

Pastırma Quesadilla - Red and yellow peppers, onion, pepper paste, spicy Turkish beef jerky , cheddar cheese

Greek Quesadilla - Feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and lamb's lettuce, feta cheese, sun-dried tomato, olive oil, oregano

DESSERT

All inclusive

Ottoman Palace Cuisine

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Roasted Potatoes with Tyhme, Grape Molasses

Hummus with Turkish Cured Spiced Beef

Cretean 'Ezme' - Paste of feta and ricotta cheese, dill, olive oil, pistachio

Carrot 'Tarator' - Roasted carrot, walnut, garlic, yoghurt

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Shell Beans With Olive Oil, Cinnamon

Zucchini Hash Browns & Yoghurt with Tahini

Turkish-Style Braised Green Beans

Turkish Sauteed Shrimp - Shrimp with Turkish chili flakes and garlic

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Mahmudiyye

Karnıyarık

Artichoke in olive oil, orange juice

Piruhi - Homemade dumplings with spinach, onions, yoghurt and chili oil

DESSERT

All inclusive

Turkish Coffee Flavoured Muhallebi

Helatiye - Milk pudding infused with gum mastic, served with almonds, pistachios and seasonal fruits in a light rose water syrup

Helva-i Hakani - Halva of flour and corn starch, cooked with honey and milk

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Chef Gokcan's reviews

4.72

•

4 services

This dinner was AMAZING!!! We had such an awesome evening and my friends were so surprised. We all enjoyed the food really much and the vibe was incredible. I can highly recommend Gokcan. He served us a great dinner and a beautiful night. Thanks!!

Delicious!

Chef Gokcan Aydogan was amazing, professional, and very friendly all around. We enjoyed immensely the food, the taste as well as the presentation. I would definitely recommend anyone to eat like kings at least once.