Acknowledgements
I would just like to add this special page to my CD for all my family and friends.
I must thank my Mum, Nana and my dad’s aunties first because they are the ones who influenced me with their cooking from a young age.
At school our Domestic Science lessons were given by Sr. Aloysius (now Sr. Christina). I really did enjoy those lessons and the basics we learnt have stayed with me ever since. I can remember to this day the very first practical lesson which included how to make a proper cup of tea - and believe me it’s not with a teabag! We then progressed to homemade lemonade - made with fresh lemons, of course. Baked potatoes followed and next it was flapjacks. From then on I was hooked - I enjoyed each new recipe that came along and I haven’t changed since. So thank you to Sr. Christina. My only regret is that I had to give up Domestic Science after my 4th year - but if you enjoy something it will eventually seek you out and it did when I went to Turkey!
In Turkey, I began my first lessons by watching Lütfü’s mum. It was mainly watching because I couldn’t speak Turkish then! I must have spent hours in the kitchen with her! My thanks to her for letting me into a Turkish kitchen and chatting so much that my knowledge of Turkish improved greatly in that kitchen alone!
After a few months we moved to Karabük. Here I met Tulây. Her help and influence in those early years was immense. She taught me so much of the basic Turkish cookery by calling me, almost daily at first, to watch how she prepared every meal, be it soups, main dishes or pastries. I, in return, was able to show her our English desserts, cakes and biscuits! Thank you Tulây for your kindness and patience, in never tiring of wanting to help me learn one of the world’s most exciting cuisines.
Belma – what can I say…. We have been friends since those Karabük days and the meals you made for us then and since in Istanbul, have been exceptional. An excellent example of Turkish cooking at its finest. Thank you for sharing your recipes with me still!
Thank you to Neşe for writing out her recipes, under difficult circumstances, so that her friends could share them. I was really touched to have been given a copy. In Yalova we enjoyed afternoon tea many times, memories that never leave us.
A special thanks to Alev and Çetin. You encouraged me by always being very complimentary about the type of Anglo Turkish cookery that has evolved in our home. You asked whether a recipe for a roast dinner had been included - it is now - and has been added especially for you!
İnci, your cooking and baking is also exceptional. We enjoy our family visits to each other immensely, thank you for sharing the secrets of your kitchen. Also thanks to Mine for her enthusiasm which means I am able to enjoy time with her, on your visits to London, to show her our desserts! I hope she will also be able to take advantage of this CD as she gets older. Not forgetting Müge and Lemi – the grand tasters, a most important part of any recipe!
What can I say. Without you, Lütfü, this would not have been possible at all. Firstly, for enabling me to get it into some sort of order and then for designing me the CD recipe book format. Your help has been immeasurable - from the early days of teaching me what you knew about Turkish cookery, to your ideas and suggestions since, which have helped make our kitchen become what it is after 35 years! A huge, never-ending thank you for your support and encouragement, with all my love.
And to Feyzan, the most wonderful daughter in the world, this was started for you and passed on to you. Now you and Ross are embarking on a new stage in your lives, I hope you continue to cook and bake for your family with as much love and enjoyment as I have done. I love you so much.
Joan x
2007