Do not miss the opportunity to learn how easy it can be to combine good ingredients and spices and end up with fantastic Turkish foods. Katia and Ermine guided us through a variety of dishes, and sent us home with leftovers. It was a wonderful experience.
I worked in Istanbul for two months many years ago. Two of my fondest memories
were the Turkish people and their food. In planning our recent trip, I researched Turkish
cooking classes and Cookistan was our choice because the five hour session seemed
to give us plenty of time for the neighborhood tour, food preparation and eating. My
fond memories came true again as Özge and Emine were wonderful hosts, instructors,
local food experts and our meal had all of the delicious qualities of home cooking.
Özge gave us names and directions of local shops for spices and dried herbs .We
can’t wait to start cooking Turkish cuisine at home and I am now honing my Simit
baking skills (not part of our class). I highly recommend the Cookistan experience!
A Hidden Gem in Istanbul: Cookistan Cooking School
The Cookistan cooking experience begins with a delightful exploration of the Omasbey neighborhood, led by our knowledgeable guide Ozge. This immersive market tour offers a fascinating glimpse into local life as you discover where Istanbul residents source their ingredients and learn about their daily food customs.
The cooking class itself is a hands-on journey through Turkish cuisine, where participants prepare an impressive six-course feast. The menu showcases both classic and lesser-known Turkish dishes: tender Celeriac in Olive Oil, aromatic Bulgur salad, delicate Borecik, spicy Muhammara, traditional stuffed dried eggplants, expertly rolled Dolma (stuffed vine leaves), and a sweet finale of pumpkin dessert.
What makes Cookistan special is how seamlessly it blends culinary education with cultural immersion. The intimate class setting allows for personal attention and plenty of hands-on practice with traditional cooking techniques. After the preparation comes the reward - sharing the freshly prepared feast with fellow food enthusiasts, accompanied by wine that, while perhaps not exceptional, certainly enhanced the convivial atmosphere with each pour.
For traveler's seeking an authentic Istanbul experience beyond the typical tourist trail, Cookistan offers the perfect blend of cultural education and culinary adventure. This cooking school stands out for its thoughtful integration of neighborhood exploration, market visits, and hands-on cooking instruction, making it an enriching way to discover Turkish cuisine and culture in a local context.
We had such an enjoyable evening wandering through local food shops then learning to prepare (and eating!) beautiful local dishes. Great business with great people. Highly recommend.
One of the best experiences ever. Truly the highlight of our trip. The local neighborhood walk was amazing and gave Istanbul so much meaning! Hazal is extraordinary and we learned so much from her.
what a fun and fantastic experience. Ozge took great care of all of us and taught us some excellent basic Turkish dishes. A very enjoyable way to spend the evening and to learn a bit about Turkish culture and cuisine. Would 100% do it again, and event consider the advanced course were I to return to Istanbul.
Appreciated everything about this neighborhood and cooking experience. First a tour through the neighborhood stopping by local food shops and hearing about how it is a lot like a village in a big city. Then to a former, intimate home for snacks and then very well-organized, informational, and delicious dinner.
I am not easily impressed but cooking with Aysin was a highlight of our Istanbul experience. She is so lovely and a great guide and teacher, we made wonderful food with a fantastic group, her cooking space was warm and welcoming.
You have to experience it! Don’t hesitate to sign up!
Tess
Brilliant half day with Aysin, so passionate about food but also about her area of Istanbul! It was so insightful, my friend and I only had 3 days but we both agreed that this was the best introduction to Istanbul, plus got recommendations on where to consider visiting in the city aside from the very touristic areas.
The morning started with a walk around the area, and the how commerce works for its community and vice versa.
We then headed to Aysin’s home and cookery school - such a lovely space, we shared tea and delicious pastries bought on the walk.
Onto the course, learnt 6 dishes from different areas/eras, all very organised and Aysin and her assistant were so hospitable and managed to bring conversation to our small group.
Our lunch was then devoured and enjoyed with some nice wine. Plenty of leftovers too.
We walked from Karikoy (about 40mins) but easily accessible on the metro.
Highly recommend - great relaxed hosting and delish food.