About Me

The man is standing in an outdoor setting, holding the macaw on his outstretched arm, both appearing cheerful and enjoying each other's company.

My Early Life

Growing up in Seferihisar, a coastal town in İzmir, I developed a deep appreciation for nature, local culture, and the food traditions of the Aegean region. My childhood experiences and curiosity about the world around me later influenced both my academic interests and my passion for food and regional cuisine.

Academic Pursuits in Aydin

At 18, I moved to Aydın to continue my university education at Adnan Menderes University, where I studied agricultural engineering. My interest in the relationship between science, agriculture, sustainability, and food led me to continue my academic journey into doctoral studies. My years in Aydın shaped not only my academic perspective, but also my appreciation for local ingredients, regional food traditions, and the connection between agriculture and cuisine.

— About Me

Get to know more about me.

I am the Cook behind the ChefTurko!

Hello, I’m Mustafa, the creator of ChefTurko. I created this website to share authentic Turkish recipes, regional dishes, and the food culture I grew up with in Türkiye. My goal is to make Turkish cuisine easier to discover and cook for people around the world, while also sharing the stories, ingredients, and traditions behind the dishes.

My background in agricultural engineering has also shaped the way I think about food, ingredients, sustainability, and local production. On ChefTurko, I combine personal cooking experience, local knowledge, and research to create useful and approachable content for anyone interested in Turkish cuisine.

Mustafa ÖZAY

— First Steps.

The beginning of my cooking journey!

How I started Cooking in the first place?

A Passion for Culinary Arts

While my professional life has been dedicated to agricultural engineering, my personal passion lies in the realm of culinary arts. Cooking and exploring various culinary cultures have always been my favorite hobbies. The process of creating dishes, experimenting with flavors, and understanding the culinary heritage of different regions has been a source of immense joy and relaxation for me. This hobby has been a delightful journey of sensory exploration and cultural discovery.

How I Create Content for ChefTurko

I create ChefTurko content by combining personal cooking experience, local knowledge, and research from reliable sources. When I write about the history, ingredients, or cultural background of a dish, I aim to distinguish documented information from culinary tradition and regional interpretation. For nutrition or food-science topics, I prefer academic or official sources whenever possible. My goal is to make each article useful, accurate, and approachable for readers who want to understand Turkish cuisine beyond the recipe itself.

A top-down view capturing a person's hands kneading a large ball of dough on a floured wooden surface, with baking ingredients and tools neatly arranged around.

— My Motto

Cooking is Exploring!

“Cooking is the alchemy of the senses; a symphony of flavors, aromas, and textures that can transport us to distant lands or return us home with just one bite.”

An overhead shot of a person's hands finely chopping green vegetables on a wooden cutting board, surrounded by a colorful array of spices, herbs, and kitchen utensils.

If you have a question, correction, or suggestion about a ChefTurko article, you can reach me through the Contact page.