Join your chef instructor in the Culinary Arts Kitchen for an introduction to today’s tour and an overview of the wonder of Turkish cuisine. Istanbul spans both Europe and Asia, so a multitude of ethnicities have long influenced its cuisine. Begin your tour at the stunning and historically significant Topkapi Palace. You will explore the origins of Turkish food at the Palace’s famed Ottoman imperial kitchens. You can expect to see the original stoves, cooking utensils, pantry and confectionary house, where candies and desserts were made.
Next stop is the famed Spice Market where you will browse an aromatic market to view a variety of exotic ingredients. It will be quite the experience to take in the seemingly endless mounds of brightly colored, pungent spices such as sumac and smoky pepper flakes known as isot biber.
A traditional Turkish lunch follows at a nearby restaurant, hosted by a famed chef and with a stunning view of the harbor. Before returning to the ship, stop by a multi-generation pastry shop for a taste of Baklava - the most popular Turkish pastries – to finish off this stunning and educational day with your chef and local guide.