As such, the upcoming Masters of Wine Weekend (April 7-9), to be held in the Marmara Hotel in Taksim under the coordination of Veritas, will then surely be marked as an accentuated beginning for wine enthusiasts. Seven notable wine experts will be in attendance to not only give the Turkish grape varieties their due, but also to teach the interested the intricacies and varieties of wine tasting. Participating Masters of Wine, a title given only to a selected few worldwide professionals, will be Christy Canterbury, Tim Hanni, and Sheri Morano from the US; Sarah Abbott, Tim Atkin, and Peter McCombie from England; and Ned Goodwin from Japan.

The weekend will include the official tasting and evaluation of selected Turkish wines on the mornings of both days, where participants are invited to watch, followed by lunch with the guest wine tasters. The rest of the weekend will be full of workshops ranging from the tasting and understanding of Châteauneuf-du-Pape varieties to the general techniques of tasting and enjoying wine.

Take your first step into the world of wine with Kayra Wine Center’s workshop5 Adımda Şarap Tadımı(Wine Tasting in 5 Steps). In this two-hour workshop, you’ll learn about the look, smell, and taste of wine. You may end up with a new hobby or just have a great time tasting a variety of wine. Call (0212) 252 91 61 now to reserve your spot!

Where: Kayra Wine Center, Sıraselviler Caddesi No. 55/A, Cihangir; P: (0212) 252 91 61

When:21 February, 7:00PM – 9:00PM

How much:85 TL

Language:TR

Valentine’s Day Special Desserts - Guest Chef Melek Gündoğdu

For this Valentine’s Day, find the perfect recipes for the one you love. At this workshop entitled “Sevgililer Günü Özel Tatlıları,” ICI Guest Chef Melek Gündoğdu will teach you how to make delicious fruit pavlova, double chocolate hazelnut biscotti, heart-warming shortbread heart cookies, and finally espresso panna cotta.

If you decide on attending, sign up on ICI’s website to reserve your place(s).

Where:Istanbul Culinary Institute

When:6 February, 7:00pm

How much:From the venue: 130 TL.

Language:TR with ENG translation

Romantic Italian Menu - Guest Chef Michelangelo de Lauretis

Talented chef Michelangelo de Lauretis will teach the participants of this special workshop how to make a number of delicious and romantic Italian recipes. Attendees at “Romantik İtalyan Menüsü” will learn how to make carpaccio di branzino (marinated sea bass), strawberry risotto, filetto di pesce al cartoccio (sea bream in parchment paper), and pomegranate panna cotta.

If you decide on attending, sign up on ICI’s website to reserve your place(s).

Where:Istanbul Culinary Institute

When:9 February, 7:00pm

How much: From the venue: 130 TL.

Language:ENG with TR translation

For the Love of Chocolate

If you are having trouble finding a gift for Valentine’s Day, this workshop at MSA entitled “Çikolata Aşkına” could be what you’ve been looking for. Make yourself and your sweetheart happy with these delicious treats: heart-shaped raspberry chocolates, chocolate Florentines, orange and marzipan chocolates, and caramelized walnut truffle. Sign up for this workshop, for the love of chocolate!

Where:Mutfak Sanatları Akademisi

When:11 February, 10:00am

How much:From Biletix: 130 TL.

Language:TR

Valentine’s Day Gifts - Guest Chef Feyza Bayrakçıoğlu

This is ICI’s second workshop with a specific Valentine’s Day theme – so if you miss the first one, or want to learn different recipes, sign up for “Sevgililer Günü Hediyelikleri,” where Guest Chef Feyza Bayrakçıoğlu will teach you how to make romantic cupcakes, red and white éclairs, and orange rum and honey lavender truffle. Wrap them up and give them to your significant other – what better present for Valentine’s Day?

If you decide on attending, sign up on ICI’s website to reserve your place(s).

Where:Istanbul Culinary Institute

When:11 February, 11:30am

How much:From the venue: 120 TL.

Language:TR with ENG translation

Valentine’s Day Chocolate Making Course

The clock is ticking towards Valentine’s Day and you still don’t have anything planned? Fear not. On the 11th, Mövenpick Hotel Executive Chef Giovanni Terracciano will teach you how to make chocolate truffles, ganache, and several varieties of white and regular chocolate. Participants will learn the secrets of melting, storing, and shaping mouth-watering homemade chocolate. Following the course, each participant will receive a souvenir apron, compliments of Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul.

For reservations please call 0212 319 29 29.

Where:Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul

When:11 February, 3:00pm

How much:From the venue: 95 TL

Cupcakes

If you want to do something original for Valentine’s Day, MSA has brand-new recipes at their popular “Cupcake’ler” workshop, where you’ll learn how to make pumpkin cupcakes, cashew and beet cupcakes, “Ying Yang” cupcakes, and fig and ginger cupcakes.

Where:Mutfak Sanatları Akademisi

When:14 February, 10:00am

How much:From Biletix: 120 TL.

Language:TR

My Darling Menu

Prepare a special Valentine’s Day dinner with your date at MSA! At this workshop entitled “Sevgilim Menüm,” you and your partner will learn how to make the following Valentine’s Day-worthy dishes: arugula salad in raspberry dressing with garlic shrimps; sautéed scallops covered with parmesan in lemon dressing with truffle-oil; lemongrass and ginger marinated salmon, accompanied by asparagus with Mumm Cordon Rouge passion fruit sauce; and, to finish off, a strawberry mousse with glass of Mumm Cordon Rouge courtesy of MSA.

Where:Mutfak Sanatları Akademisi

When:14 February, 7:00pm

How much:From Biletix: 130 TL.

Language:TR

Istanbul Culinary Institute, Meşrutiyet Caddesi No. 59, Tepebaşı; P: (0212) 251 22 14

Mutfak Sanatları Akademisi, Meydan Sokak Beybi Giz Plaza B Blok No. 123-126, Maslak; P: (0212) 290 35 50

Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul, Emniyet Evleri Mahallesi Akarsu Caddesi No.2, 4. Levent; P: (0212) 319 29 29

Cheesecakes

At this workshop at Mutfak Sanatları Akademisi entitled Cheesecake’ler, you will learn how to make the following variations on this popular dairy treat: Black Forest Cheesecake, White-Chocolate-and-Orange-Flavored Cheesecake, Cheesecake with Candied Chestnuts, and Russian Cheesecake with Chocolate Chips.

Where: Mutfak Sanatları Akademisi, Meydan Sokak Beybi Giz Plaza B Blok No. 123-126, Maslak; P: (0212) 290 35 50
When: January 10, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

How much:From the venue:120 TL.

Language:TR

French Desserts with Guest Chef Esra Özkutlu

There’s no denying that the French are masters of dessert-making. At ICI’s workshop Fransız Tatlıları with Guest Chef Esra Özkutlu, you’ll learn how to make three delicious French desserts: Pears Belle-Hélène (baked pears filled with pastry cream, with chocolate sauce), Galette des Rois (mille-feuille pastry with almond cream), and Orange Tartelette.

Where: Istanbul Culinary Institute,Mesrutiyet Caddesi No. 59, Tepebaşı; P: (0212) 251 22 14
When: Januayr 26, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

How much:From the venue: 120 TL.

Language:TR with ENG translation

You love to eat tapas but don’t know how to make them yourself? Head to Mutfak Sanatları Akademisi and learn how to make mini beef quesadillas, marinated sea bass with avocado and spicy peppers, coconut-covered shrimp with spicyaiolidip, and chicken leg confit with mini pizzas topped with mushroom puree.

Where: Mutfak Sanatları Akademisi, Meydan Sokak Beybi Giz Plaza B Blok No. 123-126, Maslak; P: (0212) 290 35 50

When:January 5, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

How much:From the venue:120 TL

Language:TR

New Year’s Eve Party

If you’re planning to host a New Year’s Eve party this year, head to MSA to learn how to prepare a great menu with LilBitz owner and Chef Maksut Aşkar. In this four-hour workshop, you’ll first watch Aşkar prepare warm sangria. Then, you’ll learn how to make a blackberry-flavored purslane salad with beetroot and goat’s cheese, mashed peas with coriander, turkey meatballs with corn cream, steak strips, mashed potatoes with cumin, and gruyere cream with tarragon and raspberry. Last but not least, you’ll learn how to make a crunchy pumpkin dessert with lavender.

When:December 24, 10:00am-02:00pm

Where:Mutfak Sanatları Akademisi; Meydan Sokak Beybi Giz Plaza B Blok No. 123-126, Maslak; P: (0212) 290 35 50

How much:150 TL

Language:TR

Hello Christmas - Guest Chef Feyza Bayrakçıoğlu

If you’re hosting a Christmas dinner at home, head to ICI to learn how to prepare Christmas desserts. Guest Chef Feyza Bayrakçıoğlu will teach you how to make gingerbread with crème anglaise sauce, Christmas meringues filled with chocolate cream, spicy cookies, and red velvet cake.

When:December 24, 11:00am-02:00pm

Where:Istanbul Culinary Institute;Mesrutiyet Caddesi No. 59, Tepebaşı; P: (0212) 251 22 14

How much:120 TL

Language:TR with ENG translation

New Year’s Gifts

If you don’t want to get a conventional gift for your loved ones this year, head to MSA to prepare a cake and give that as a New Year’s gift. In this four-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to make chocolate balls with mango, colorful cookies, a mini crumble cake with cranberry, and heart-shaped chocolate with raspberry.

When:December 27,10:00am-02:00pm

Where:Mutfak Sanatları Akademisi;Meydan Sokak Beybi Giz Plaza B Blok No. 123-126, Maslak; P: (0212) 290 35 50

How much:120 TL

Language:TR

New Year’s Eve Menu

If you want to impress your guests during your New Year’s Eve dinner at home, head to MSA where you’ll cook with MSA chefs and learn to create a jaw-dropping menu on the day. In this three-hour course, you’ll learn how to make pumpkin soup with truffles, steak on skewers with béarnaise sauce, duck with orange demi-glace sauce served with orzo with lemon grind and dried cranberries, and warm chocolate cake with vanilla ice-cream.

When:December 29, 07:00pm-10:00pm

Where:Mutfak Sanatları Akademisi;Meydan Sokak Beybi Giz Plaza B Blok No. 123-126, Maslak; P: (0212) 290 35 50

How much:130 TL

Language:TR

To check out more upcoming cooking classes, click here.