Authentic Turkish Home Cooking Class in Fethiye

Meet Mel

Mel is a passionate Turkish cook, cookbook author, and world traveler who offers authentic Turkish cooking classes in her home in Fethiye. Having learned to cook from her mother, Mel shares the diverse flavors of traditional Turkish cuisine, shaped by centuries of Ottoman influence and regional heritage - from the Balkans to the Middle East and North Africa. With a love for travel and culture, Mel has backpacked through over 80 countries, meeting people and sharing food stories along the way. In her cozy Fethiye home kitchen, she welcomes guests from around the world to cook, eat, and discover the rich variety of Turkish dishes - some famous, others nearly forgotten.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (1-8 guests) Enjoy an authentic home-dining experience in Fethiye with Mel, a local cook and passionate host. Mel loves welcoming guests into her home to share traditional Turkish dishes and stories about her country’s rich history and culture. During your meal, you might enjoy flavorful starters like Antep ezme (a salad of finely chopped tomatoes, peppers, onions, parsley, and pomegranate molasses) or taze fasulye (fresh green beans with tomatoes, onions, and olive oil) or mercimek köftesi (red lentil and bulgur patties with spices). For the main course, Mel offers favorites such as hünkarbeğendi (a classic Ottoman lamb or beef stew over creamy eggplant purée) or pilav (Turkish rice with nuts, dried fruit, and spices) or karnıyarık (stuffed eggplant with spiced meat and tomato sauce) or ezogelin çorbası (red lentil soup with bulgur and rice) or mutancana (a rich Ottoman lamb stew with dried fruits) or sarımsaklı karides (shrimp sautéed with butter, garlic, and herbs). End your meal on a sweet note with künefe, a beloved Turkish dessert made with shredded phyllo dough, melted cheese, and syrup.

Sharing a home-cooked meal with a local in Fethiye is one of the best ways to discover authentic Turkish food, culture, and culinary traditions, a truly memorable experience for any food lover or traveler.

Cooking experience: (1-8 guests) Join Mel in her home in Fethiye for a hands-on Turkish cooking class that celebrates authentic flavors and local culture. Using fresh seasonal produce, regional ingredients, and family recipes, Mel will guide you through preparing traditional Turkish dishes from scratch. In your 2-hour class, you’ll learn how to make a delicious main course and appetizer, step by step. Mel shares cooking tips, family stories, and traditional techniques passed down through generations. After cooking, sit down to enjoy your meal on her balcony with beautiful views of Fethiye.

Whether you’re a food lover, traveler, or culture enthusiast, cooking with Mel is an unforgettable experience and a true taste of Turkish home cooking in Fethiye.

Notes: Mel can accommodate a lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian or vegan diet, if informed in advance.

Languages spoken: English and Turkish

Sample menu

• Appetizer (choose 1): Antep Ezme (salad made with finely chopped tomatoes, peppers, onions, parsley, and pomegranate molasses) or Taze Fasulye (fresh green beans cooked with tomatoes, onions, and olive oil) or Mercimek Köftesi (red lentils, bulgur, and spices, shaped into small patties) or Şakşuka (sautéed eggplants, potatoes, peppers, and tomatoes.)
• Main (choose 1): Hünkarbeğendi (a classic Ottoman dish featuring tender lamb or beef stew served over a creamy eggplant puree mixed with cheese) or Pilav (a flavorful Turkish rice pilaf cooked with nuts, dried fruits, and spices) or Karnıyarık (eggplants split and stuffed with a spiced ground meat mixture, baked with tomato sauce) or Ezogelin Çorbası (red lentil soup with bulgur, rice, and spices) or Mutancana (a rich Ottoman lamb stew) or Sarımsaklı Karides (shrimp sautéed with butter, garlic, and sometimes herbs or spices)
• Dip: Havuç Tarator (a refreshing yogurt-based dip made with grated carrots, garlic, and olive oil) or Muhammara (a spicy, tangy dip made from roasted red peppers, walnuts, breadcrumbs, and pomegranate molasses)
• Dessert: Künefe (sweet dessert made with shredded phyllo dough, melted cheese, and syrup)