A Star for Mama: A Journey of Love, Loss, and Legacy

Gülşen Duygu | 1938 ~ 2021

A Star for Mama: A Journey of Love, Loss, and Legacy

The scent of simmering spices and the gentle clatter of pots take me back to my childhood in Taşucu, where my mother ruled the kitchen with quiet grace. She never measured ingredients—she measured moments. She believed that food wasn’t just about taste; it was about love, patience, and storytelling.

Losing her was the hardest thing I’ve ever faced. The grief felt like an empty chair at the dinner table, a silence where laughter used to be. But in that silence, I found something unexpected—a deeper purpose. I realized that every time I stepped into my kitchen, I was carrying her with me. I could still hear her humming softly as she kneaded dough, reminding me, “Every great dish is a little bit of love and a little bit of time.”

Those words became my guiding light. When the journey towards our second Michelin star felt too daunting, when exhaustion crept in and self-doubt whispered that we weren’t enough, I reminded myself why I was doing this. To honor her. To cook the way she taught me—with my heart first, my hands second.

And then, the moment arrived. The second star. I stood in our restaurant, holding that plaque, feeling the weight of all the years, the late nights, the relentless pursuit of perfection. But most of all, I felt her.

“This is for you, Mama,” I whispered. And in my heart, I heard her voice, steady as always— “Now go make something even better.”

Chef Omar Duygu