Join Deniz — a seasoned chef — and his mother at their cosy home in the heart of Kadıköy, one of the few garden houses left in this bustling part of Istanbul. This isn’t a touristy cooking class; it’s a shared ritual of cooking, eating, and connecting. You’ll be welcomed into the garden with Turkish tea and homemade bites as you get to know the family and the seasonal menu. Then, step into the kitchen where the real magic begins: you’ll chop, knead, roll, and stir together as you prepare a spread of traditional dishes that might include stuffed vegetables, seasonal meze, or handmade mantı — all depending on what’s fresh at the market that week. As the dishes simmer and bake, there’s time to sip tea, ask questions, and learn about Turkish culinary traditions and daily rituals. Finally, you’ll gather around the table in the garden to enjoy the meal you’ve created — with laughter, stories, and maybe even a song or two if the mood strikes. Deniz says it best: “Cooking is how we pass down memory in my family. When we cook with guests, those memories become shared.” You’ll leave not only full, but genuinely connected to a place, a culture, and a local family.