Turkey cooking vacations: A Turkish Delight

A Turkish Delight
Ortakent, Bodrum

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About the location: Along the southwestern coastline of Turkey on the Bodrum peninsula, discover Ortakent, which means ‘middle town.’ The translation is an appropriate one here, for it’s a place where the Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean, where gorgeous coastline meets sleepy hamlets and sun-dappled paths. Soak up the sun in this walker’s paradise, where the small village of Ortakent is full of hand-crafted stone houses that offer breath-taking views of not only the Aegean Sea but also Gokova Bay and the Island of Kos. Just 20 minutes from the city of Bodrum, Ortakent is the perfect place to relax and discover the wonders of Turkish cuisine.

About the accommodations: Your home for the week is in one of 23 unique villas built on a hill overlooking Ortakent. These hand-crafted stone houses are connected to one another with winding stone alleyways and stair streets, which were modeled after ancient Roman models back when Bodrum was known as Halicarnassus. Each stone-villa is different but complementary to the rest. Both exteriors and interiors are outfitted and finished with ornamental wood, ceramics, and tiles hand-made in the village. The complex also includes a restaurant, artistic outlets and artisanal ateliers.

About the cooking lessons: Turkish cuisine may be considered international — as it fuses Middle Eastern, Balkan, and Central Asian cuisine — but it does rely heavily on vegetables, olive oil and garlic. Traditions run deep here, and no one is better versed in sharing those traditions than your host and chef for the week, English-speaking Aslihan. As a graduate of Istanbul Bosphorus University, Aslihan majored in both business administration and hospitality management. After working as an executive in the hospitality industry for many years, Aslihan opened a restaurant in Ortakent and started organizing Turkish cooking classes. She will teach you all about healthy Aegean cooking, which includes a lot of vegetables cooked in olive oil, and traditional Turkish dishes with a twist.

A Turkish Delight Itinerary

Day 1 - Saturday

During the summer, local cultural events may change this itinerary.

  • Transfer from either Bodrum airport or the cruise port to your home for the week. Your accommodations are part of a unique housing concept that strives to protect the town in a modern way.
  • Tonight, a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, where you’ll learn about Turkey’s southwestern cuisine.

Day 2 - Sunday

  • Breakfast.
  • Following a short lecture by the chef about local produce, head to the market to buy ingredients for your first cooking class. This might include a stop at the cheese stall for a taste, and a stop at the bakery and butcher.
  • In your first hands-on cooking class, learn how to cook five mezes, or appetizers.
  • Enjoy what you’ve created in a late lunch with a glass of Turkish wine.
  • Time on your own to relax at the pool or go to the beach.
  • Dinner with a tasting of three different Turkish wines.

Day 3 - Monday

  • Breakfast.
  • Experience a full-day excursion on a gulet, which are traditional wooden yachts that once were used for fishing and sponge hunting. This spacious yacht will take you out onto the beautiful blue waters of the Mediterranean. Cruise around the bays of Bodrum Peninsula with time for swimming or relaxing. The Chef will share some of her recipes and make you lunch, which you will enjoy while on board.
  • Dinner at the hostess’ restaurant.

Day 4 - Tuesday

  • Following a big breakfast, a bit of time on your own.
  • Around 1 p.m., head to a local vineyard and ecological farm. Learn about wine-making and taste some wine, fruits, and home-made cheese and bread in a breath-taking location among the olive trees.
  • In the afternoon, return to your home for the week and begin to prepare one dish during your second cooking class/session. At dinner, everyone brings their one dish, and the hosts will choose the best for a prize.
  • Dinner based on your own efforts.

Day 5 - Wednesday

  • Breakfast.
  • Head to a different local farmers market to select ingredients for the cooking class that will focus on creating five courses of Turkish cuisine.
  • Late lunch based on your efforts.
  • Time on your own in the afternoon.
  • Dinner on your own in a local restaurant in central Bodrum. Your hostess will provide some recommendations. Round-trip shuttle transfer to/from Bodrum is included.

Day 6 - Thursday

  • Visit Kizilagac to learn the art of making bread over a wood fire. A large breakfast will be served here and includes home-made jams, free range chicken eggs, and self-harvested olives.
  • Return to your accommodations for some free time at the pool, beaches, or the Tangerine Orchards.
  • During your early afternoon class, learn how to create Turkish manti (dumplings) along with yogurt or piruhi.
  • Late lunch based on your efforts.
  • Time on your own. Perhaps go to the beach, visit ancient ruins, or explore the underwater museum.
  • Farewell dinner at a famous fish restaurant by the sea.

Day 7 - Friday

  • After breakfast, head to Bodrum’s largest fish market for a guided tour.
  • In your last hands-on cooking class, create a full-course menu.
  • Lunch and class will finish before 3 p.m, when you’ll be taken to the airport.

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