I am Olga Irez, chef and owner of Babushka Restaurant in Alaçatı, atmospheric old Greek village and popular upscale resort on the Aegean coast of Turkey. I moved here in 2014 with my husband and two dogs. Previously, I lived in Istanbul where I had been running Delicious Istanbul food tours and cooking classes for four years to share my passion for the food and markets of the city I fell in love. I also used to host monthly Istanbul breakfast club to spread the word about Turkish breakfast culture among the foreigners living in the city and travelers to Istanbul.
I was born and grew up in Russia, received my master degree from a prestigious business school in Norway and used to work as a strategy consultant for a global firm serving clients in Russia and Ukraine. But a visit to Istanbul inspired a stock-taking and, ultimately, a drastic career change. In 2010 I quit my consulting career and moved to Turkey’s cultural capital, where I started my food venture and met my Turkish husband.
My interest in food originates from the grandparents’ house I grew up in: my grandfather was an experienced forager and gardener who taught me the gratitude to the nature and its seasons while my grandmother has demonstrated unmatched ability to create delicious meals with most humble ingredients. My cooking matured through the travels, study and work abroad in the countries ranging from Denmark to India. And it is my Turkish-mother-in-law, goddess of Turkish home cooking, from whom I have learned the secrets of Turkish cuisine.
I am passionate about local and seasonal whole food sourced from a small producer; friends know me as a food snob. I value the power of tradition, honesty and nourishment that food carries through the generations, and I am grateful to be able to work with such a sacred matter every day.
On Babushka Table (previously - Delicious Istanbul blog) I am sharing my recipes and stories of seasonal, local and nourishing food, primarily Turkish, Eastern Mediterranean and Russian, mostly plant-based. You can keep in touch by joining my mail list and getting the new posts right in your inbox. Also, feel free to connect through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
Sometimes you ask..
Where can I find Turkish tea in my town? How can I buy Turkish red pepper flakes online?
I am glad my blog has inspired you to look out for those Turkish ingredients but I can’t help you source them where you live. I get mine from the local food markets in Turkey, have never shopped for them abroad and don’t know vendors that ship internationally. Google must have a much better idea.
Why haven not you answered my e-mail or comment?
I am delighted to receive feedback to my tips, thoughts and recipes on this blog. And I am receiving more and more everyday - possibly as a reflection of my growth. But it is not always easy for me to keep up. I do my best to reply to every comment and e-mail I receive, but I apologize if I failed here or there. However, I will not bother to email you back if you failed to address me by my first name.
I have left a comment on your blog, and it was deleted.
I think of myself as a positive person even at the moments I get desperate with the Turkish cleaning ladies or excess of roux-thickened Turkish soups. That’s why I’d like to keep the dialogue with my readers on that very frequency - positive, inspiring, meaningful. And I moderate the comments to ensure it stays that way.
Do you accept advertising on your blog?
I am currently not running ads of any other products and services besides my own.
Do you accept guest posting?
Nice of you to ask, but I currently don’t. I blog to share my discoveries and thoughts so guest posting does not fit at the moment.
Can I use your photos, texts or recipes?
No, unless you have asked and got my permission.
Would you like to exchange links?
I often link out to the content that I personally find fascinating and relevant for my readers on my blog and social network accounts. But I don’t exchange links just for the sake of it.
On any other matter you are welcome to contact me through the form below.
