Blossom Hill, Uzumlu

30/03/2026

Some buildings don’t just stand… they remember.

When I first came to this village, I fell in love with this little building. Back then, it was an estate agent’s, but its story stretches much further ~ it has been a cobbler’s, a dentist’s, and now stands as one of the last bastions of the original village.

It’s old, but it’s loved. It’s cared for. And to be honest, I would be so disappointed in myself if it ever lost its true, authentic character. This place says everything about my ethos~you don’t need silk when you have a rich tapestry of love and hospitality.

It has become part of my identity, and along the way I’ve met the most incredible people.

I haven’t even started talking about the food yet—but I will say this: I truly look forward to opening our doors again. Things change in our village, because not everything stays the same. But my food, my love for the produce here, and my desire to give you a moment of real enjoyment~that will never change.

If you’ve ever visited, I’d love to hear your memory of this place 🤍

And if you haven’t yet… what would you order first?

I hope to welcome you very soon.

04/03/2026

I unwrapped my book today 💚

Some gifts arrive with a story.

I was gifted this beautiful signed copy of The Irish Kitchen by Andrew Montgomery and Cherie Denham, which found its way to me through the generosity of Ozlem Warren and the authors themselves. It has happily travelled from the UK to Türkiye unscathed in my backpack.

I have long admired the care and craft Montgomery Press brings to publishing. Andrew’s books are never simply collections of recipes, they feel like places you can step into, where landscape, people and food come together. This one feels particularly special.

Cherie’s cooking captures her warmth and that of a home kitchen, the kind of food that feels as though you are sitting at the table with family. The essays by Kitty Corrigan, along with the conversations with producers and artisans, deepen that sense of place and tradition beautifully.

Ireland is where I was born and has always been home for me. Irish roots, Turkish soil, and the quiet threads that connect food cultures across places and memories. Sometimes those threads meet unexpectedly on a kitchen table.

The little details here feel like that meeting too.

Thank you Andrew, Cherie and Ozlem for this generous and unexpected gift. I cannot wait to cook from its pages.

11/12/2025

💡Want to add instant Anatolian depth to any dish?
👉 Swipe right for the simple how-to.
If you try it today, I’d love to see your plate. ✨

Tip: Stir a teaspoon of pomegranate molasses into roasted veggies, salads, or marinades. It adds sweet-tangy brightness and that unmistakable Turkish twist — without overpowering the dish. Definitely a staple in our house, nothing like a drizzle of Nar Ekşisi to make your food taste special, afyiet olsun!

Enjoy! 👉 please give it a try.

07/12/2025

🎄If you’re hosting this Christmas… these festive foodie bites are for you. Tap “save” to come back when you’re cooking 🎄

Turn simple feta into festive magic ✨
Four easy starters you can serve for Christmas, New Year’s Eve or last-minute guests, all using one block of feta.

They look impressive… but take minutes.
Share this Christmas post to your friends.

Here’s what’s in the carousel:

1 Baked Feta with Lavender & Honey
2 Baked Feta with Figs & Pomegranate Molasses
3 Deep-Fried Feta with Onion–Pomegranate Relish
4 Honey-Baked Feta in Filo Pastry✨🎄

Enjoy 👉 please give them a try

26/05/2024

Fabulous time with a wonderful friend ❤️

28/03/2024

Hands-on Cookery Class & Book Signing
by Özlem Warren

22/02/2024

My good friend Ozlem Warren will be in Dublin on 13th March at Trinity College, promoting her new book “Sebze” details below. Thank you ❤️

“This is a free event but you need to register here
https://ozlemwarren.eventbrite.com/
I hope you can join us on an exploration of the rich tapestry of Turkish culinary delights. Many thanks and Turkish Embassy in Dublin for having me
I hope to see you in Dublin on
March 13th!”🍀

A talk, demonstration and Book Signing by Ozlem Warren, An award winning Turkish food writer

06/02/2024

Today marks the first anniversary of double earthquakes which hit Southern Türkiye and Syria, on the early morning of the 6th February 2023, a morning that changed thousands of lives forever.

Please read our updated story (link in bio) regarding our ( & ) ongoing efforts to help the children of Antakya & Adıyaman.

Thank you for your invaluable support & contribution

The article includes information of who to contact if you wish to help.

Very many thanks to everyone involved and who have donated so far. We appreciate everything everyone has done. ❤️

06/01/2024

The Pie

This is a little repost of one of my favorite pies, apricot & chicken pastilla, it's a great pie for a special guest/guests and just needs a lovely crisp green salad to accompany it (nothing else) A great make ahead dish, as filling is best prepped the day before.

I know who I will be making this again for in May ‘24? We hopefully look forward to a visit from Ozlem again and will be organizing a cookery day or 2 at and we are so looking forward to it!

Anyone interested in adding their name provisionally to our list just message me.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone ❤️

31/12/2023

2023 - Top Nine

A New Year - 2024

There are years that throw you a curve ball (or several), lessons learnt, natural disasters, war, out of control events, financial struggles & this certainly has been a year. You loose people you love, others disappoint & let you down, you struggle to get through a day never mind a year.

But it’s the unique, kind & extraordinary human beings that really made my 2023 a “Special Year” The Türkiye earthquake proved that generosity of others in the face of adversity & acts of human kindness together with determined strength, brought people together in a unique way.

New friendships were sealed for life, family & friends showing kindness & compassion, all highlighted perfectly in my top nine images which has determined the content of my post. Everyone pulled together & what we achieved stretched a long way. My love of food & cooking plays a large role in my life, giving food to those with an empty plate, especially children, remains a priority.

We continue to raise funds and disperse to those in need, huge thank you to Ozlem Warren for her wonderful friendship & donations of cookery book sales, (just message me for details) donations & book donations will be dispersed in the New Year. A huge heartfelt well done & thank you to everyone ❤️

I wish you all a Happy & Prosperous New Year, I’m sure 2024 will have its curve balls but much happiness & change also. ❤️

19/11/2023

I can't eat eggs 🥚

But if I did this would be one of the favorite ways to have them, luckily my family can enjoy them with gusto!

These Turkish style eggs are poached, set in and drizzled with chilli oil served with garlic yoghurt and called Çılbır. They are fabulous with fresh crusty bread (Ekmek) just what Sunday mornings are made for ❤️🧿

has a fabulous recipe on her blog and can be found on this link
https://ozlemsturkishtable.com/2016/12/poached-eggs-with-garlic-yoghurt-turkish-style-cilbir/

or https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024227-cilbir-turkish-eggs-with-yogurt

Also if you take a peep at my story you will see if you are in Türkiye, you can order a signed copy of Ozlem’s book, will make a great Christmas present. We donate all proceeds, to earthquake relief SE
Türkiye , Just message me to order

🧿Very many thanks to everyone who has donated so far, you’re wonderful🧿 ❤️.

24/10/2023

We’ve had a lovely long weekend with Özlem and Angus, sunny weather, lots of cooking, good food & fabulous company.

It has been great getting together again & we are continuing to raise funds for people affected by the earthquake in South Eastern Turkey, Özlem continues to kindly donate all proceeds of book sales of ‘Özlem’s Turkish Table’ to help in the area.

Signed copies of this beautiful cookery book, packed full of recipes & aprons are now back in stock & available from myself & can be delivered within Türkiye, will make the perfect Christmas present!

We look forward to hearing from you & thank you for your kind support❤️