Best of Bay: Istanbul Modern
$190 per person
Instructor
Our Best of Bay classes bring notable, local food talents into our teaching kitchens to share their expertise in a hands-on cooking class.
What You'll Learn
By the end of the class, you will:
- Identify common Eastern Mediterranean flavor profiles
- Execute Eastern Mediterranean culinary techniques (layering phyllo dough, filling dolmas, making bread)
- Understand how basic techniques can be applied to create different renditions of dishes
About This Class
With their hugely successful pop-ups, Sayat and Laura draw on some iconic middle eastern flavors and techniques to create unique dishes rooted firmly in northern California. Join them as they guide you through a menu with influences you will recognize as Turkish, Greek, Armenian, Jewish, Arabic and Persian.
Some cooking done slow and low, and some à la minute, you’ll learn their take on classic dolmas and bourekas, as well less familiar dishes that are sure to become favorites.
Ahead of their pending brick and mortar location, Sayat and Laura are excited to share with you the cuisine that is iconicly Istanbul Modern.
Menu
Armenian Dolmas, Jilbir (or Turkish eggs) with Stewed Chickpeas, Simit, Kitkit Boureks (Phyllo Dough Filled with Custard)
Details
- Wine included
- Full meal served in class
- Work in teams
- Ages 18+
FAQ
All students must show proof of vaccine before entering school and will be required to wear a mask unless eating/drinking.
We understand and respect that lifestyle decisions during Covid are an individual choice. If you test positive for Covid while the class is in session, you will be asked to send a friend in your place until you have a negative test. Classes will not be rescheduled, credited or cancelled. Once the class session starts the class is non-refundable. This was our policy pre-Covid and continues to be our policy today. We hope you find this policy acceptable and understand that this policy is required for a small school like SFCS to operate and open our kitchens for great food experiences.
The average duration of our current cooking classes is 4 hours, which is predominately hands-on work. You will be standing for the majority of class, cooking at your work station as your instructor demonstrates techniques and walks around providing individual feedback. Most of the time you’ll be working with a partner or small group on a few different recipes.
Doors will open 10 minutes prior to class starting and we will begin promptly on time. Students will be asked to queue up outside the door of the school to have their vaccine cards checked the first week of class (these will only need to be checked once).
Please arrive at the school with your own mask on. New, disposable masks are available should you need to replace yours while in class.
Wear comfortable clothes and close-toed shoes (remember, you’ll be on your feet cooking). The kitchens at SFCS are fully equipped with everything else you need, including clean aprons.
You will sit down with your classmates to eat what you’ve all prepared, along with some wine. We do suggest you have a small snack before class as dinner does happen towards the end of each session.
Wear casual clothing you can easily move around in, and comfortable close-toed shoes. Long hair must be pulled back and masks are required while in the building.
Cancellation Policy
Sayat Ozyilmaz & Laura Milan
Sayat Ozyilmaz & Laura Milan are a husband and wife chef team from Istanbul and Mexico respectively. Laura has worked at incredible places such as Cafe Boulud, Saison, Mugaritz and Eleven Madison Park. Sayat’s pedigree includes restaurants from Mumbai and Istanbul, as well as Le Bernardin, Blue Hill at Stone Barns, and Mourad. Together they’ve successfully been running Istanbul Modern SF since November of 2016 serving a cuisine that pays homage to the cultural legacy of Istanbul. San Francisco anxiously awaits their much-anticipated opening of their California-influenced Middle Eastern restaurant, Noosh.