Turkish Tapas – Meze Cooking for Beginners in Istanbul

Set out on a culinary journey through the vibrant flavors of Turkey with this hands-on meze cooking class in Istanbul. Learn to craft authentic Turkish appetizers like Carrot Tarator and İmam Bayıldı, all while enjoying the city’s rich food culture. With an intimate class size of just 8 participants, you’ll enjoy a personalized experience and savor the homemade dishes paired with traditional Turkish tea or coffee. Don’t miss this chance to discover the art of meze preparation and uncover the hidden gems of Istanbul’s impressive gastronomic scene.

Key Points

• Hands-on cooking class in a local home kitchen, offering an authentic Turkish meze experience for beginners.
• Small group size (up to 8 participants) for personalized attention from the host.
• Opportunity to learn and prepare classic Turkish meze dishes like Carrot Tarator, Eggplant Meze, and Zucchini Tarator.
• Availability of Turkish tea or coffee during the class, immersing participants in the vibrant food culture of Istanbul.
• Flexible booking options with a full refund policy if canceled 24 hours in advance.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Course Overview

Turkish Tapas – Meze Cooking for Beginners in Istanbul is a 2+ hour course that introduces participants to the art of creating authentic Turkish mezes.

The class has a small group size, limited to 8 people, and is offered in English, Portuguese, and Turkish. Priced from $59.97 per person, the experience includes a full refund if canceled 24 hours in advance.

Participants will enjoy a hands-on culinary experience in a local home kitchen, discovering Istanbul’s vibrant food culture and savoring homemade Turkish flavors, accompanied by Turkish tea or coffee.

Experience Highlights

Participants will have the opportunity to cook authentic Turkish mezes, seeing a hands-on culinary experience within a local home kitchen.

The experience highlights include:

1. Discovering Istanbul’s vibrant food culture by learning to prepare traditional meze dishes.

2. Savoring homemade Turkish flavors and enjoying Turkish tea or coffee.

3. Engaging in a small-group setting, limited to 8 participants, for a more personalized and interactive cooking session.

This class offers a unique chance to explore the art of meze preparation and expand one’s understanding of Turkish cuisine.

Featured Meze Dishes

The featured meze dishes guests will learn to prepare include the tangy Carrot Tarator, the spiced delight of Eggplant Meze (İmam Bayıldı), the garlicky Haydari, and the creamy savory Zucchini Tarator.

Carrot Tarator is a tangy and refreshing carrot salad.

Eggplant Meze, also known as İmam Bayıldı, is a classic spiced eggplant dish.

Haydari is a garlicky yogurt-based meze.

Zucchini Tarator is a creamy and savory zucchini preparation.

These authentic Turkish flavors offer a delightful introduction to the country’s diverse meze culture.

Booking and Transportation Details

Travelers can reserve their spot without upfront payment by booking in advance.

The meeting point instructions for public transportation will be provided on the tickets. To navigate Istanbul’s traffic, the suggestion is to use the metro or ferry.

The key details for booking and transportation are:

1. Reserve now & pay later: Book your spot without upfront payment.

2. Meeting point: Instructions for public transportation provided on tickets.

3. Suggestion: Use metro or ferry to navigate Istanbul’s traffic.

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Customer Reviews

The Turkish Tapas Cooking experience has garnered a stellar 5/5 rating based on 3 reviews.

Susanne from Germany simply stated, "Great people :-)" conveying her satisfaction with the hosts.

Kim-Alexa, also from Germany, praised "The host, the food. All excellent and really authentic."

A GetYourGuide traveler from Turkey echoed these sentiments, noting "Very nice workshop with a smooth lady. Yummieh!"

The consistent positive feedback across nationalities suggests this cooking class provides an engaging, authentic Turkish culinary experience for beginners that meets or exceeds participant expectations.

Istanbul’s Vibrant Food Culture

As a captivating hub of culinary diversity, Istanbul’s vibrant food culture invites travelers to embark on a tantalizing journey of flavors.

From the bustling streets of the Grand Bazaar to the charming neighborhoods, the city’s culinary landscape is a mosaic of ancient traditions and modern influences:

1. Meze Exploration: Discover the art of meze, a selection of small plates that showcase the depth and complexity of Turkish cuisine, ranging from tangy eggplant delicacies to creamy yogurt-based dips.

2. Street Food Delights: Indulge in the sights, sounds, and aromas of Istanbul’s vibrant street food scene, where you can savor fragrant kebabs, crisp-edged börek pastries, and the beloved simit – a sesame-encrusted bread ring.

3. Neighborhood Feasts: Explore the city’s diverse neighborhoods, each with its own unique food culture, from the lively fish markets of Karaköy to the traditional meyhane taverns serving up meze, raki, and lively conversation.

What to Expect in the Meze Cooking Class

When participants join the Turkish Tapas Cooking class, they’ll embark on an immersive culinary experience that allows them to master the art of preparing authentic Turkish meze dishes.

Under the guidance of an experienced local host, they’ll learn to craft four quintessential meze items: tangy carrot tarator, the beloved eggplant delicacy imam bayıldı, garlicky haydari, and the creamy savory zucchini tarator.

The hands-on nature of the class ensures participants actively participate in the cooking process, discovering Istanbul’s vibrant food culture firsthand.

At the end, they’ll savor the homemade Turkish flavors they’ve created, accompanied by traditional Turkish tea or coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Participants With Dietary Restrictions Join the Class?

Participants with dietary restrictions can join the class. The host accommodates various dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets, to ensure all participants can fully enjoy the authentic Turkish meze dishes.

Is the Class Suitable for Children or Families?

The class is focused on adult cooking and may not be the best fit for children. However, families are welcome, and the host can accommodate dietary restrictions with advance notice. Parental supervision is required for any minors attending.

How Will the Participants Be Grouped During the Cooking Session?

Participants will be divided into small groups of up to 8 people during the cooking session. This intimate group size allows for a hands-on, interactive experience where everyone can actively engage in preparing the authentic Turkish meze dishes.

Are Participants Required to Bring Any Cooking Equipment?

Participants don’t need to bring any cooking equipment. All necessary tools and ingredients are provided for the hands-on culinary experience in the local home kitchen. The focus is on learning to cook authentic Turkish meze dishes.

Is There a Dress Code or Attire Requirement for the Class?

There is no specific dress code for the class. Participants should wear comfortable, casual clothing and closed-toe shoes. The focus is on the cooking experience, so practical attire that allows easy movement in the kitchen is recommended.

The Sum Up

Enjoy Istanbul’s rich food culture with this hands-on Turkish tapas cooking class. Learn to create authentic meze dishes like Carrot Tarator and İmam Bayıldı, and savor the flavors paired with traditional Turkish tea or coffee. Engage in an intimate, cozy setting, and enjoy a memorable culinary adventure that’ll delight your taste buds. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the vibrant flavors of Turkey.

You can check availability for your dates here: