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Host: Nuray and Ipek

Istanbul, Turkey

USD
$120-$154 per person

Modern Turkish cuisine prepared with love

Host offerings
  • Apartment
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Nuray and Ipek

Nuray and Ipek are a mother and daughter team who love to entertain. After getting married at the age of 18, Nuray learned to cook from cookbooks and workshops. She is now an accomplished home-cook who enjoys combining traditional Turkish flavors with Western cuisine. Her daughter, Ipek, works at a global jewelry brand as Senior Sales Advisor, and may not always be present during the experience. Nuray and Ipek are inviting hosts and engaging conversationalists who love to meet people from all over the world and share their Turkish culture and delicious home-cooked food.

You will be warmly welcomed at Nuray's modern apartment in the Ataköy neighborhood - be sure to notice their peek-a-boo view of the sea!

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: (1-6 guests) Your meal might start with a mercimek çorbası (lentil soup) followed by içli köfte (stuffed bulgar meatballs, also known as kibbeh), cheese börek (a cheese-filled pastry), yogurt lu ispanak (spinach and yoghurt), barbunya pilaki (beans stewed in a tomato and lemon sauce), Nuray’s special handmade burger, karniyarik (eggplant stuffed with mincemeat and tomatoes) and a dessert of the most ethereal homemade baklava you’ve ever tasted. Dessert will be served with traditional Turkish coffee. Note your menu will vary based on the season.

Cooking experience: (1-6 guests) Under Nuray's expert eye you will learn to prepare some of her Turkish specialties. She’ll have you frying eggplant, chopping fresh vegetables, and wrapping börek within minutes of arriving at their apartment. Nuray is an effortless cook and will show you how to prepare a variety of dishes with confidence. You’ll enjoy the dishes you helped to prepare along with a few other dishes she prepares in advance.

Notes: Nuray and Ipek live very close to Ataturk International Airport and a visit to their home makes a convenient stop on your way in or out of town.

In keeping with Turkish tradition you may be requested to leave your shoes at the door.

Languages spoken: English, French

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Mercimek çorbası
  • Kisir
  • Seasonal salad
  • Mini lahmacun
  • Pilav
  • Kagit Kebabi
  • Homemade baklava or Kunefe

Traveler reviews

4.97 (32)
Nuray is a delightful person and we had a wonderful time! The dishes she prepared were superb and abundant, and the dinner was one we'll remember for a very long time.
- Jeremy October 29, 2024
We love to do cooking classes in other countries, you get to know people and eat amazing food, this was no exception. We arrived at Nuray's home, we cooked, ate delicious food and had some amazing conversations. She is an incredible person, and we loved our time with her.
- Larry_B May 08, 2024
Nuray was a brilliant host. There were 4 of us taking part and we all agreed it was the highlight of our trip. We learnt how to cook some wonderfully easy dishes that we will be able to replicate at home. We chatted with Nuray like she was an old friend who we hadn't seen for a while. Her home was immaculate and we ate like kings. I cannot recommend this enough. Oh and the views from Nurays home were spectacular. Go on spoil yourself and make this an experience that you won't forget
- Global3 June 15, 2023
Our children got me this experience as a birthday present, and I'm eternally grateful as it was such a wonderful evening. Learnt some new tricks in the kitchen, had lovely conversation with Nuray and, of course, enjoyed wonderful Turkish food. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in Turkey and Turkish food. Best regards from Sarah and Pete
- peterw April 25, 2023
Nuray was a lovely host & cooking instructor! Her food is outstanding, and we learned techniques & recipes that we're sure we can recreate once we're home! She enjoys bringing people into her home to share her cooking, and it shows in her enthusiasm and the preparation of foods she makes for her students. My friend & I spent an enjoyable afternoon learning about her life in Istanbul. I would highly recommend this adventure & spending time with Nuray
- rosaliew March 31, 2023
Read More

Nuray and Ipek

$120-$154 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
$132 $120 $120
Cooking Experience + Meal
$154 $144 $144
Alcohol
$26 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
$132 $120 $120
Cooking Experience + Meal
$154 $144 $144
Alcohol
$26 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
1:30pm-3:30pm 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
11:30am-3:30pm 5:00pm-9:00pm

Meet Nuray and Ipek

Nuray and Ipek are a mother and daughter team who love to entertain. After getting married at the age of 18, Nuray learned to cook from cookbooks and workshops. She is now an accomplished home-cook who enjoys combining traditional Turkish flavors with Western cuisine. Her daughter, Ipek, works at a global jewelry brand as Senior Sales Advisor, and may not always be present during the experience. Nuray and Ipek are inviting hosts and engaging conversationalists who love to meet people from all over the world and share their Turkish culture and delicious home-cooked food.

You will be warmly welcomed at Nuray's modern apartment in the Ataköy neighborhood - be sure to notice their peek-a-boo view of the sea!

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: (1-6 guests) Your meal might start with a mercimek çorbası (lentil soup) followed by içli köfte (stuffed bulgar meatballs, also known as kibbeh), cheese börek (a cheese-filled pastry), yogurt lu ispanak (spinach and yoghurt), barbunya pilaki (beans stewed in a tomato and lemon sauce), Nuray’s special handmade burger, karniyarik (eggplant stuffed with mincemeat and tomatoes) and a dessert of the most ethereal homemade baklava you’ve ever tasted. Dessert will be served with traditional Turkish coffee. Note your menu will vary based on the season.

Cooking experience: (1-6 guests) Under Nuray's expert eye you will learn to prepare some of her Turkish specialties. She’ll have you frying eggplant, chopping fresh vegetables, and wrapping börek within minutes of arriving at their apartment. Nuray is an effortless cook and will show you how to prepare a variety of dishes with confidence. You’ll enjoy the dishes you helped to prepare along with a few other dishes she prepares in advance.

Notes: Nuray and Ipek live very close to Ataturk International Airport and a visit to their home makes a convenient stop on your way in or out of town.

In keeping with Turkish tradition you may be requested to leave your shoes at the door.

Languages spoken: English, French

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Mercimek çorbası
  • Kisir
  • Seasonal salad
  • Mini lahmacun
  • Pilav
  • Kagit Kebabi
  • Homemade baklava or Kunefe

Traveler reviews

4.97 (32)
Nuray is a delightful person and we had a wonderful time! The dishes she prepared were superb and abundant, and the dinner was one we'll remember for a very long time.
- Jeremy October 29, 2024
We love to do cooking classes in other countries, you get to know people and eat amazing food, this was no exception. We arrived at Nuray's home, we cooked, ate delicious food and had some amazing conversations. She is an incredible person, and we loved our time with her.
- Larry_B May 08, 2024
Nuray was a brilliant host. There were 4 of us taking part and we all agreed it was the highlight of our trip. We learnt how to cook some wonderfully easy dishes that we will be able to replicate at home. We chatted with Nuray like she was an old friend who we hadn't seen for a while. Her home was immaculate and we ate like kings. I cannot recommend this enough. Oh and the views from Nurays home were spectacular. Go on spoil yourself and make this an experience that you won't forget
- Global3 June 15, 2023
Our children got me this experience as a birthday present, and I'm eternally grateful as it was such a wonderful evening. Learnt some new tricks in the kitchen, had lovely conversation with Nuray and, of course, enjoyed wonderful Turkish food. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in Turkey and Turkish food. Best regards from Sarah and Pete
- peterw April 25, 2023
Nuray was a lovely host & cooking instructor! Her food is outstanding, and we learned techniques & recipes that we're sure we can recreate once we're home! She enjoys bringing people into her home to share her cooking, and it shows in her enthusiasm and the preparation of foods she makes for her students. My friend & I spent an enjoyable afternoon learning about her life in Istanbul. I would highly recommend this adventure & spending time with Nuray
- rosaliew March 31, 2023
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
$132 $120 $120
Cooking Experience + Meal
$154 $144 $144
Alcohol
$26 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
$132 $120 $120
Cooking Experience + Meal
$154 $144 $144
Alcohol
$26 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
1:30pm-3:30pm 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
11:30am-3:30pm 5:00pm-9:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 4% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can't make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host's profile doesn't work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host's family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the "Notes" section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.