Chef and food influencer Julie Lin meets the new generation of female chefs at the heart of Istanbul’s vibrant food scene in new episode of Discovering The World’s Table on BBC News
On June 28th and 29th, BBC News Channel’s flagship food programme Discovering The World’s Table follows chef and food influencer Julie Lin (@julielincooks) as she journeys to Istanbul, the only city in the world that spans two continents, to explore its rich and evolving culinary landscape.
Julie begins her adventure in the bustling Grand Bazaar, guided by local food influencer Ezgi Toper (@istbucketlist). Together, they sample iconic Turkish street food such as döner kebab and kokoreç, before visiting the historic Pandeli restaurant to witness the preparation of kazandibi, a traditional Ottoman dessert made with chicken.
Next, Julie sets sail on the Bosphorus Strait with rising culinary star Burcu Önal, known for her bold fusion of Eastern flavours. After catching fresh sardines, the pair return to Burcu’s restaurant, Sini Ethnic, where they craft sushi using Turkish ingredients and techniques.
Crossing into the Asian side of Istanbul, Julie visits the vibrant neighbourhood of Kadıköy and steps into the fast-paced kitchen of Yanyali, a beloved canteen-style restaurant serving up to 300 diners daily. There, she meets co-owner Ergin Bey and joins the team to help meet the lunchtime rush.
Julie’s final stop takes her back across the Bosphorus to Sarıyer, where she meets Sinem Özler, a self-taught chef dedicated to preserving Anatolian culinary traditions. After sourcing fresh produce from a local market, they head to Sinem’s acclaimed restaurant, Seraf, where Julie helps prepare dishes rooted in centuries-old recipes.
Julie Lin, co-presenter of Discovering The World’s Table said “I completely fell in love with Istanbul. It’s a city of surprises. I saw completely unexpected ideas and combinations, from sweet chicken to Bosphorus sushi to Ottoman specialities and crucially I discovered that fusion in Istanbul isn’t a modern idea and has in fact been going on for centuries. But the real discovery were the people – I met women in these kitchens who are both preserving and reinventing these traditions.”
Discovering The World’s Table: Istanbul’s Food Fusion airs on the BBC News Channel on Saturday 28th June at 01:30 and 07:30 and on Sunday 29th June at 14:30 and 21:30 (All times GMT).
This film was made by Tern TV, part of Zinc Media Group.
