Oklava chef Selin Kiazim's petition against labelling hospitality work as 'unskilled' hits signature target
"Thank you to all those who believed in us and backed us"
Selin Kiazim to close Kyseri
Humble Beginnings to Gold Standard by Selin Kiazim
2 Jerusalem artichokes
150g Kale
1 small loaf Ciabatta bread, very finely sliced
10 Burford brown eggs-Very fresh, at room temperature
¼ bunch chives, finely sliced
2 Tbsp Maple Syrup
2 Tbsp Sherry Vinegar
Edible gold powder
Truffle & Jerusalem artichoke yoghurt
300g Jerusalem artichokes
100g Unsalted butter
200ml Double cream
1 Black truffle
2 Tbsp Black Truffle paste
200g Thick Greek Yoghurt
Turnip Ragout
2 Turnips, peeled diced
1 Leek, finely sliced
2 Bay leaves
100g Smoked Butter
1 large garlic clove, micro plane
200ml Light chicken stock
1 Cured Rib Cap
Brown butter dressing
1 block Unsalted butter
50ml Oloroso sherry Read more Read more
Selin Kiazim, Co-Owner, Oklava
Great British Menu 2017 chefs - Selin Kiazim, London/South East
Chef owner Selin Kiazim has announced the closure of Turkish Cypriot restaurant, Oklava, in London's Shoreditch.
The chef announced the news via post on her social media, where she thanked guests and the help of the restaurant’s co-owner Laura Christie.
Selin announced: "Most chefs have a dream of someday owning their own restaurant. Whilst dreaming of that you don’t think about this day (and hope to never have to think of it): the day when you have to tell everyone it’s all over."
Thanking guests and those who helped build Oklava, she said: "I would like to thank those who worked with us over the years, who helped build what Oklava has become. In particular there are a group of individuals who were instrumental to our success (they deserve a special thank you, we couldn’t have done it without you). I won’t name them, but they know who they are."
She added: "Thank you to all those who believed in us and backed us, we will be forever grateful. And thank you to @laura_christie_ for sharing this journey with me."
Oklava opened it’s doors in 2015, with Laura taking charge of the flow of the business and Kiazim behind the menu.
Commenting on her aim, Selin said: "My mission with Oklava was to show the diversity of Turkish cooking and to share my Turkish-Cypriot heritage (as well as my London one), the way I see it and feel it. I am immensely proud of achieving that."
In a personal reflection of what the restaurant meant to her, Selin said: "Thank you to Oklava. I’ve had some of my absolute best and proudest moments under your roof (and also, inevitably, some of my worst). But I will cherish every moment because in more ways than you will know, you made me the person I am today."
Selin studied at Westminster Kingsway College before getting her first job in the industry at Providores in Marylebone.
After this, she took on the head chef role at their sister restaurant, Kopapa. Selin became co-owner and head chef at Oklava, where she worked with Laura Christie whom she met at Ember Yard.
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"Thank you to all those who believed in us and backed us"
Oklava chef Selin Kiazim's petition against labelling hospitality work as 'unskilled' hits signature target
Selin Kiazim to close Kyseri
Humble Beginnings to Gold Standard by Selin Kiazim
2 Jerusalem artichokes
150g Kale
1 small loaf Ciabatta bread, very finely sliced
10 Burford brown eggs-Very fresh, at room temperature
¼ bunch chives, finely sliced
2 Tbsp Maple Syrup
2 Tbsp Sherry Vinegar
Edible gold powder
Truffle & Jerusalem artichoke yoghurt
300g Jerusalem artichokes
100g Unsalted butter
200ml Double cream
1 Black truffle
2 Tbsp Black Truffle paste
200g Thick Greek Yoghurt
Turnip Ragout
2 Turnips, peeled diced
1 Leek, finely sliced
2 Bay leaves
100g Smoked Butter
1 large garlic clove, micro plane
200ml Light chicken stock
1 Cured Rib Cap
Brown butter dressing
1 block Unsalted butter
50ml Oloroso sherry Read more Read more
Selin Kiazim, Co-Owner, Oklava
Great British Menu 2017 chefs - Selin Kiazim, London/South East
