Meet the Chef
Arzu Gasimova is the chef and founder of Cook Me Eat Me - an intimate dining room where passion is plated and every detail whispers something personal.
Her story? A masterclass in reinvention.
“At 40, I didn’t have a midlife crisis. I had a midlife awakening.”
Born in the former Soviet Union, Arzu grew up with a strong classical background in piano and ballet before building an international career in marketing.
In 2016, she left her corporate career to pursue something completely different: cooking. She trained at the Culinary Arts Academy, followed by studies in Italy and France, specializing in Italian cuisine and pastry.
Today, Arzu creates intimate, tailor-made dining experiences that bring together food, wine, music, and atmosphere in a private setting.
In December 2021, Chef Arzu opened the doors to her first Chef’s Table in Beyoğlu, Istanbul. Starting out on her own, she built the concept from the ground up, creating a space shaped entirely by her own ideas and way of cooking.
Four years later, in November 2025, the restaurant moved to a larger location, also in Beyoğlu. The move marked a new chapter, bringing Arzu together with a dedicated team and giving the concept room to grow.
Each evening, Chef Arzu and her talented team of only women craft a 12-course tasting experience just for you, using the freshest local ingredients and your own flavor preferences as inspiration.
It’s not just dinner. It’s a slow, soulful evening, full of surprises, connection, and beauty.
20 seats only. By reservation.