About Tour Guide Richard M.

Hello travelling foodies, Richard here!

I am a French national, born and bred in Istanbul. My passion for cooking brought me to Cordon Bleu Paris almost 20 years ago. After working in top kitchens for many years in Paris, a job offer to become a chef instructor in one of the most prestigious culinary schools in Istanbul brought me back in 2013.

I love sharing the knowledge, passion and experience that I gathered over the years as a chef and a culinary educator during my tours. This is why I have teamed up with Deniz, a longtime friend from Cordon Bleu, chef turned professional food tour guide.

We lead gastronomic adventures through bustling markets, multi-generational specialty food stores , iconic Istanbulite institutions as well as hidden gems off the beaten path. We believe that tasting authentic flavours and learning about the stories behind them is the best way to appreciate the rich diversity of any culture.

Let’s savour all the deliciousness that Istanbul has to offer together.