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Private Chef - Refined Flavors of the Middle East
Private Chef - Refined Flavors of the Middle East
147 reviews
147 reviews 
starting at
$ 119 Per person
All inclusive: 4-course meal, ingredients, cooking, service & clean up.
Gift card can be used for any experience or cookware
What You’ll Do
Join Chef Mert in a delightful menu of traditional Middle Eastern dishes.
In this traditional meal, Chef Mert will prepare unforgettable dishes that are packed with flavors of his native geography and neighboring lands. First, enjoy a mezze platter featuring hummus, babaganoush and garlic pita bread, and a Greek salad with fried feta cheese. The entrГ©e showcases a variety of kebabs served with charred vegetables. Then, end your feast with baklava, a traditional layered dessert made with homemade syrup.
Guests are welcome to provide wine and beer to accompany the menu, and may request pairing recommendations from the chef upon booking.
Your Menu
Traditional Mezze Platter
With herbaceous hummus, Lebanese babaganoush, tzatziki, muhammara, marinated olives, harissa aioli and garlicky butter pita bread
Mediterranean Greek Salad and Fried Feta Saganaki
With black olives and ladolemono dressing
Mixed Kebab Platter and Charred Vegetables
With marinated lamb chops kebab, spicy chicken shish kebab, lamb & eggplant kebab, shish kofta kebab and warm lavash bread
Pistachio Baklava
With vanilla ice cream
Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated if noted prior to the event. Please mention this in the message field when you submit your booking request as adjustments cannot be made during the event.
Details
- Minimum Guests 2
- Maximum Guests 50
- Meal Courses 4
- Event Duration 3 hours
- Chef Arrival Time 1 hour prior to the selected serving time
What's included
The ingredients
The cooking
The service
The washing up
Meet your chef
Chef Mert Verified Chef
Chef Mert hails from a family of exceptional cooks who take pride in their Balkan and Mediterranean culinary cultures. He applied his natural talents while working at Michelin-starred Spago Beverly Hills. His experience preparing meals for A-list celebrities and food critics helped expand his enterprise as a private chef. In Chef Mert’s view, cuisine is an artform where passion and soul are as important as flavor and texture.
The Cozymeal Protection®
Verified Chefs
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Concierge
Cancellation Policy
Flexible booking: Cancel or reschedule this event's reservation for free up to 48 hours before the event.
This experience is not refundable as it includes a meal kit.
Chef Mert will travel to guests within Orange County for this experience.
What You’ll Do
Join Chef Mert in a delightful menu of traditional Middle Eastern dishes.
In this traditional meal, Chef Mert will prepare unforgettable dishes that are packed with flavors of his native geography and neighboring lands. First, enjoy a mezze platter featuring hummus, babaganoush and garlic pita bread, and a Greek salad with fried feta cheese. The entrГ©e showcases a variety of kebabs served with charred vegetables. Then, end your feast with baklava, a traditional layered dessert made with homemade syrup.
Guests are welcome to provide wine and beer to accompany the menu, and may request pairing recommendations from the chef upon booking.
Your Menu
Traditional Mezze Platter
With herbaceous hummus, Lebanese babaganoush, tzatziki, muhammara, marinated olives, harissa aioli and garlicky butter pita bread
Mediterranean Greek Salad and Fried Feta Saganaki
With black olives and ladolemono dressing
Mixed Kebab Platter and Charred Vegetables
With marinated lamb chops kebab, spicy chicken shish kebab, lamb & eggplant kebab, shish kofta kebab and warm lavash bread
Pistachio Baklava
With vanilla ice cream
Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated if noted prior to the event. Please mention this in the message field when you submit your booking request as adjustments cannot be made during the event.
Details
- Minimum Guests 2
- Maximum Guests 50
- Meal Courses 4
- Event Duration 3 hours
- Chef Arrival Time 1 hour prior to the selected serving time
What's included
The ingredients
The cooking
The service
The washing up
Reviews
Verified guest reviews for other experiences with Chef Mert
Matthew
08 Feb 2025
Chef Mert was A+! My wife gifted me an Italian Date Night cooking class, and from beginning to end it was an incredible experience. He explained every part of the process thoroughly, it was very interactive, he allowed us to ask questions, he was unbelievably knowledgeable, and incredibly kind. We will definitely be recommending all our friends book him, and one of my favorite experiences I have had. Thank you Chef!
William
06 Jan 2025
Chef Mert was friendly and a great teacher. We loved the class and everything tasted amazing. I would highly recommend
Tracy
20 Dec 2023
Chef Mert was very well prepared when he arrived! He was super friendly and organized. The meals were delicious and very interactive. We learned a lot!
Abigail
22 May 2023
We had a wonderful birthday celebration dinner prepared and served by Chef Mert, who is easy-going, personable, and professional. I had asked Chef Mert to teach us knife skills which he prepared for by choosing a menu that required slicing, dicing, julienning and knife sharpening! We made a delicious vegetable soup (thickening secret = plain Greek yogurt with some flour mixed into it!) and a flavorful ratatouille with a pan-cooked chicken breast, cut up and tossed with the vegetables. Melt in your mouth goodness.
Prior to that, Mert preheated the oven and prepared a whole chicken with plenty of garlic, pepper and salt, lemon and rosemary, rubbing the chicken liberally with olive oil. And while it cooked and we helped him prepare the soup, we opened and shared a bottle of wine. Mert cut up a panoply of fresh fruit, tossed in their own juices and refrigerated. While we enjoyed our soup (there was enough for seconds, and thirds on the next day), Mert plated the chicken and ratatouille. A perfectly roasted chicken, moist, tender and flavorful. We had enough left for 4 more meals.
We were so happy and impressed that Mert cleaned up the dishes, counters and sink so well, and left our kitchen as clean and neat as he found it.
He arrived shortly before 6pm to set up, and left a bit after 8:30. We helped ourselves to the fruit salad which tasted even better than expected, after half an hour in the refrigerator.
The evening was great, as was Mert’s company. He is from Turkey and learned to cook from his grandmothers. Chef Mert has worked in first-rate kitchens but says he never went to cooking school. Shows you that good cooking is an innate talent. It would be fun to have him back to cook an authentic Turkish meal! Kudos to Chef Mert and CozyMeals. P.S. We gave Mert a tip in person.
Roger
22 Mar 2023
Chef Mert was great. Pleasant and interactive with us. We learned about him as a Chef and as a person outside of cooking. We did a focus on homemade dough. Great meal and fun to do a few of the things Chef Mert had us do. He is excellent.
DJ
08 Mar 2023
We had a great time with Mert, and learned a lot. He was right on time, and well prepared, and had thorough printed recipes to follow along with. Because two of his doughs needed proofing, he brought some pre-made doughs which we baked, and then he had us make fresh doughs that we could bake off later. There were lots of opportunities for hands-on experience, which was something I was hoping for. Overall, it was a great experience, and I would recommend Mert's classes, and look forward to taking another class in the future.
Daniel
21 Feb 2023
Chef Mert was awesome! My wife and I really had a great time learning to cook with him and enjoying some amazing food.
Caden
24 Jan 2023
Chef Mert was awesome! Great conversation, very professional and friendly. Food was tasty and filling. 10/10 would recommend!
Stefana
21 Jan 2023
Chef Mert is fantastic! We took his beginners course and he really takes the time to explain and answer every question you have. He explained the thinking behind the cooking to get things just perfect, which I really appreciated.
He is a very polite and chill person; very easy and fun to talk to! Also so knowledgeable in different cuisines and restaurants local to the area. 10/10 experience I can’t recommend highly enough!!
Marcy
19 Jan 2023
Chef Mert was wonderful! He arrived on time and made setup a breeze. My husband and I had a great time. You can tell Chef Mert is SO passionate about food and cooking and loves sharing his knowledge with others (and feeding others!).
rachel
05 Jan 2023
This was a great experience. The chef was very nice and prepared. We highly recommend.
Charity
10 Oct 2022
Chef Mert provided my friend and I not only a plethora of food, but also many memories to remember the experience by. All the food was delicious and fun to make! There were definitely leftovers and plenty of opportunities Chef Mert gave us to be hands-on with the experience and truly take part in the cooking experience. Definitely recommend and would book again!
Oleg
01 Sep 2022
Chef Mert provided us with a fantastic dining experience for my girlfriend's birthday. Every course was amazing. Thank you Chef for providing us with this truly unique experience.
Samantha
12 Jul 2022
Chef Mert was great! Super professional and communicative and the food was amazing. Thank you chef!
Joshua
29 Jun 2022
We had a wonderful experience with Chef Mert, and all of the food was delicious. He was very personable and made the evening a lot of fun for my family. His Apple Pie is also the best I've ever tasted. 10/10!
Derek
19 Feb 2025
Chef Mert hosted a fantastic class! My wife and I went to Valentines Day and there was another couple with us also learning how to make Pasta for the first time. We ended up buying the same pasta roller and we're excited to try it on our own. Great class, Great food!!
Sarah
10 Feb 2025
We had an incredible time with Chef Mert. He is knowledgeable, has a great personality, and we made a delicious meal! Highly recommend!!
Abbey
03 Jan 2025
I gifted a private pasta making class for my boyfriend & it was amazing! Chef Mertz was incredibly inviting, educational & so talented in his craft. The dishes were amazing, and he made it so easy for us to attempt to replicate on our own. Highly recommend & we plan on booking with him again in the future!
Laika
28 Dec 2024
Chef Mert was amazing! He shared so many helpful tips and tricks that elevated the entire experience. His passion and expertise made it both fun and educational. Highly recommend!
Ben
26 Dec 2024
My wife and I had an amazing time learning how to make homemade pasta with Chef Mert! The class was intimate, hands-on, and so much fun. Chef Mert made us feel at ease while sharing expert tips and techniques that were easy to follow. We loved the personalized attention and the chance to create something delicious from scratch. The pasta turned out incredible, and it’s a memory we’ll cherish (and a recipe we’ll definitely use again!). Highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for a unique and engaging cooking class!
Bendik
22 Dec 2024
I couldn't recommend Chef Mert enough. The food was awesome, the vibes were great, and me and my girlfriend had a fantastic time.
Fabian
17 Dec 2024
This experience was great! Chef Mert was very knowledgeable, patient, and personable. His hospitality was extremely appreciated and I highly recommend this class and Chef Mert for any of his classes. The food was amazing and I’ll be sure to try the recipe on my own soon enough.
Rita
16 Dec 2024
We had a great experience with chef Mert! He was very accomodating and the each dish was incredible!! He also shared some of his cooking tips as he was cooking. Highly recommend this chef and this menu - we would definitely book him again.
Timothy Wagner
03 Dec 2024
Awesome experience!
Hannah
01 Dec 2024
My partner and I had a great experience with Chef Mert and the “Italian Date night.” Great balance of opportunities to be hands on and learn without being stressful about prep and stress. Super beginner friendly for a beginner cook like me. Definitely would go again!
Gabe
25 Nov 2024
My family and I had an unforgettable experience attending a cooking class with Chef Mert! From the moment we arrived, the warm and welcoming atmosphere made us feel right at home. Chef Mert is not only an incredibly talented chef but also a fantastic teacher, breaking down complex techniques into simple, easy-to-follow steps, making the class accessible for everyone, regardless of skill level. His personable and knowledgeable approach created a relaxed environment where we felt comfortable asking questions, and he took the time to ensure we fully understood each step. We learned so much about Italian cuisine. The food was fantastic, and the evening was both enjoyable and memorable. We highly recommend Chef Mert’s classes and can’t wait to book another one!
Xochitl
19 Nov 2024
We loved everything !!! It was a Fantastic Experience
Patrick
02 Nov 2024
I recently attended a cooking class with Chef Mert, and it was an unforgettable experience! From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Chef Mert is not only an incredibly talented Chef but also a fantastic teacher. They broke down complex techniques into simple, easy-to-follow steps, making the class accessible for everyone, regardless of skill level.
Maricar
27 Oct 2024
Chef Mert is very personable and knowledgeable. He was very accommodating with his schedule and took his time answering any questions. My boyfriend and I thoroughly enjoyed our experience as well as learning so many things about Italian cuisine. We enjoyed the meal and took away more than just a delicious take home tiramisu… now we can make our own! Thank you so much for your time and knowledge.
Jon
28 Sep 2024
Great food!
Leticia
03 Sep 2024
Had a fantastic experience! No matter your level of expertise, a class with Chef Mert is sure to be wonderful.
Lori
12 Aug 2024
Delicious sea bass!
Dianne
22 Jul 2024
We had such a wonderful time! Chef Mert was easy to talk to, was easy to follow his instructions and the food was fantastic! We had such a delicious and enjoyable evening. I highly recommend Chef Mert! We will book again!
Jaime
07 Jul 2024
We had such a great time with Chef Mert! We did the Italian date night experience and the food was incredible. He is so knowledgeable and makes everything easy to understand. He was also happy to answer all our questions and made us feel comfortable in his own home. Highly recommend booking with Chef Mert!
Nancy
01 Jul 2024
We attended Chef Mert's Italian cooking class this past saturday, 29Jun24. He was absolute wonderful. The food we made was delicious and explained very well on how to make and cook it. I learned several new things to take with me in my future cooking endeavors.
Theresa
13 Apr 2024
Mert was an excellent teacher and made us feel totally welcome and at home! A great activity for a date or with friends, and the recipes he shared are amazing—will definitely be recreating at home!
Linda
26 Mar 2024
Chef Mert was amazing. He was professional and a fantastic teacher. The group really enjoyed the experience and we are already planning our next one.
Janet
23 Mar 2024
Wonderful! I treated my best friend to a cooking class for her birthday and it was so much fun! We learned a lot and left feeling fully satisfied :)
Armany
19 Mar 2024
Mert was great! He was patient and explained every step of the meal. He made us all feel part of the experience without any pressure.
Ann Marie
16 Mar 2024
Cooking with Chef Mert was such a fun date night. The food was delicious and we learned new techniques. He was a great teacher, and made us feel so welcome in his kitchen. A+ experience for us:)
Ben
16 Mar 2024
Chef Mert is an amazing chef with great talent. He is also a wonderful host. I highly recommend his classes.
Georgia
15 Mar 2024
Chef Mert was awesome! It was just my boyfriend and I for the evening, and it all felt super personal and private. Great for a date night or with friends. The food was incredible. We’ll be back for more!
Catherine
08 Mar 2024
Chef Mert was a great instructor! His recipes were easy but delicious and something we can replicate at home.
Alex
04 Mar 2024
Chef Mert was fantastic! Really welcoming and nice. His class was fun and my date and I really learned a lot. Looking forward to attempting to replicate the delicious meal we made together at home. Highly recommend as a fun interactive date night.
Lyndsay
20 Feb 2024
We had the absolute BEST time with Chef Mert - he is so approachable, friendly, and breaks everything down for you in a way that never feels intimidating for beginners. The food and recipes were TOP TIER and we couldn't have asked for anything more! Will be booking with Chef again!!
Joseph
19 Feb 2024
The experience with Chef Mert was great from start to finish. He was very welcoming from the beginning and made the experience fun and exciting the entire time. He took the time to talk us through the steps, ensured we knew what was going on at all times and included us in everything. Each item that we made was excellent and he made it easy for us to understand and recreate when we got home. There are no words to describe the Tiramisu.
Jonathan
19 Feb 2024
Chef Mert was a great teacher! He explained his techniques in detail and allowed us to be hands on during the class as well. All the recipes and dishes turned out delicious! This was my fiancé and I’s first cooking class and would definitely recommend him to others looking for a unique date night and experience.
Lauren
18 Feb 2024
Chef Mert provided a wonderfully intimate cooking class experience for my boyfriend and I alongside another couple (who were great!). He welcomed us into his home and showed us different delicious toppings for the crostinis and a variety of ways to make pasta (and make it your own). The tiramisu, even though I’m not a coffee drinker, was also very tasty! I feel fully confident to make these dishes at home now. Highly recommend!
Sirik
15 Feb 2024
Chef Mert was amazing! I got the class as a Valentine’s day gift for my husband, it was our first time and we loved the whole experience, Chef Mert was very patient with us, he showed us different techniques to make pasta at home, and the Tiramusu was fire ?? he also emailed us all the recipes after the class so I can’t wait to recreate his crostinis and tiramisu :)
David
14 Feb 2024
This was so much fun! It was an intimate cooking class with 5 of us at his place. The place was very spacious and had a great balcony. It would be amazing when the weather is warmer. Chef Mert was very patient and helpful and showed us all new tips and ideas on how to be better cooks. The pasta was really good and we had a variety of different crustinis, which were very tasteful. We were able to bring our own wine which made it super easy. I would say the only downside was it was kinda difficult to find, btu Chef Mert was super communicative and helpful to guiding us to his place.
Tiffany
12 Feb 2024
The experience was great! Chef Mert was very good at talking us through the instructions and making the experience interactive and enjoyable. I booked this for my s/o's birthday and he loved every moment of it. We enjoyed it very much and food was great. Can't wait to make the recipe at home! Will do again and recommend to friends!
Kevin
12 Feb 2024
My wife and I took Chef Mert's "Italian Date Night" class and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish! Chef Mert's passion for cooking is contagious, and his expertise and attention to detail were evident in every step of the process. What truly set this course apart though was Chef Mert's ability to demystify the pasta-making process, making it fun and easy to understand, regardless of skill level. Truly one of the very best pastas we have ever had and we look forward to trying to recreate the meal at home. We can't recommend Chef Mert enough!
Ryan
10 Feb 2024
Chef Mert was fantastic. Learned everything from the culinary basics to the secret "tips and tricks" of the kitchen. The food itself was excellent and I can't stress more how amazing this date night was!
Sam
10 Feb 2024
The Experience with chef Mert was so much more than we expected. From start to finish, we were involved in every part of the process. Chef Mert manages to blend thoughtful education with light hearted interaction beautifully. Not only was the food delicious, it was inspiring to see the passion and excitement the chef has for his craft. We will absolutely book another experience with chef Mert. - Sam and Chaz
Claudia
08 Feb 2024
My husband and I recently took one of Chef Mert's cooking classes, a gift from our daughter, and what a treat this was! Chef Mert was awesome! He provided us with a fun hands-on experience preparing the delicious meal and gave us great tips. We are excited about re-creating the recipes at home, especially the delicious pasta and we definitely plan to take more classes from him. We highly recommend!
Alex
06 Feb 2024
Chef Mert was so welcoming and knowledgable! We are complete novices to cooking so Chef Mert made sure to educate us on the basics and let us get our hands dirty making a delicious meal. The food was so great and we walked away feeling like we could do it at home. Thanks so much!
Sloan
29 Jan 2024
Chef Mert was amazing & made sure we had a great time during class, while learning useful skills in the kitchen. The final product was delicious as well. We will definitely be back for more classes!
Daniel Kim
24 Jan 2024
This was our first experience with cozymeal and I have to say Chef Mert was awesome! He was very engaging and answered any questions we had as we were learning how to make the amazing Italian courses! The food we made tasted so good we are still dreaming about it. We definitely highly recommend Chef Mert and we look forward to having more cooking experiences with him in the future!
Michael
16 Jan 2024
Chef Mert was incredible! Very thoughtful in every demonstration, explanation, and in answering any and all questions we had. Not to mention he taught us to make an incredible meal. Can't recommend enough!
Majeed
07 Jan 2024
I recently attended a cooking class with Chef Mert and it was a fantastic experience. The class was great, allowing for personalized guidance. Chef Mert expertly demonstrated various dishes, focusing on technique and flavor. His passion for cooking was infectious and his teaching style, both patient and engaging, made learning a joy. The class was not just educational but also incredibly fun. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to improve their culinary skills, regardless of their experience level. Chef Mert's class is a culinary highlight!
Zachary
04 Jan 2024
Chef Mert was so informative and welcoming. It was great to learn all his tips and tricks, and I had so much fun making pasta for the first time. Well worth every penny and will definitely be telling our friends!
Patrick
01 Jan 2024
Awesome experience on New Years Eve with Chef Mert. Delicious food and awesome service
Rose
29 Dec 2023
Prior to the class, Chef Mert was very communicative about logistics (timing, location, allergies, etc.), and he greeted us warmly into his home, which was set up well for the class. He not only taught us how to make the recipes, but also gave helpful tips for ingredient sourcing, knife skills, plating, etc. He was friendly and informative. We had a great time!
Christine
28 Dec 2023
We had a wonderful meal with Mert! He was on-time, efficient, friendly, and accomplished. He was truly a professional and he came prepared. He was able to execute the dinner within the timeframe, each course being presented with comfortable ease. He quickly became familiar with the kitchen and its resources and he went about his work, which allowed us maximum time to socialize with our family while he prepared a magnificent meal, which we all savored. Bravo Mert!
Luca
27 Dec 2023
Amazing class! He was very welcoming and allowed for a great hands-on experience. Would definitely recommend!!
Sheila
23 Dec 2023
I booked Chef Mert's Italian Date Night with my teen daughter and we had such an amazing time. His warm welcome and laid back style matched our energy. He offered to let us watch or participate, depending on what we preferred. We, of course, joined in and made the most delicious meal. I've already bought some ingredients to recreate it at home. We've always dreamed of making homemade pasta and Chef Mert really made it easy for us to follow. Highly recommend this experience for anyone looking for a fun and delicious date night!
Brian
03 Dec 2023
Great experience highly recommended
Lucy
02 Dec 2023
We had a great experience with Chef Mert! He was welcoming and a great host! Highly recommend to anyone considering this experience!
Bianca
27 Nov 2023
Mert was professional, gracious, and a phenomenal cook! Our group so enjoyed his dinner and welcoming him in our home!
Brittany
21 Nov 2023
This experience with Chef Mert was fantastic. When I booked this class to celebrate my husbands birthday, I wasn’t sure on what to expect but it was pleasant and enjoyable every step of the way. Chef Mert was very kind both through communications and in person and was extremely helpful re: directions and accommodations. His home was warm and inviting which added a nice touch to our private lesson. We learned a lot of great tips and are looking forward to putting them into use on our own. All of the food came out delicious as well! Thank you Chef Mert
Jessica
19 Nov 2023
Mert made my husband’s birthday unforgettable!
He was not only an excellent cook delivering one of the best meals we’ve ever had in or out of a restaurant but was also a super interesting person who taught us so much about how and why he was cooking the way he was. If you’re at all interested in how the magic happens at restaurants this experience is far more than just a meal.
More importantly he modified the menu to accommodate to any dietary restrictions and we couldn’t believe how good the gluten/low lactose alternatives were - most restaurants don’t have options this good for gluten/dairy free.
Book Mert and you are guaranteed to have a time you won’t forget!
Brandy
15 Nov 2023
Chef Mert was absolutely wonderful! He cooked the middle eastern feast for us and the food was incredible. Highly highly recommend. A great evening and Chef Mert made the night very memorable.
Camille
29 May 2023
We had a wonderful time with Chef Mert celebrating my boyfriends birthday. We did the private pizza cooking class and it was so fun. We learned so much and got to eat delicious food. He was so kind and welcoming. Highly recommend!
Sabrina
24 May 2023
Chef Mert and his pasta class was amazing!! I attended his 3 course cooking class with 3 other friends and we all had a blast. While cooking, my friends and I each took turns implementing our newly learned techniques from chef Mert, like rolling out the dough and using the pasta machine. Chef Mert made us all feel very welcome and comfortable. We learned new things and recipes that we can try at home. Our next Cooking class with Chef Mert will be sushi!! Thanks Chef!
Michael
24 May 2023
Such a fantastic class! We loved it. Perfect date night experience. Chef Mert is a wonderful teacher and the food he taught us to make was fantastic. Highly recommend this class.
Adam
21 May 2023
My girlfriend and I signed up to attend an event with Chef Mert at his home for a pasta making course. It was a terrific experience. Chef Mert provided excellent directions ahead of time and clearly answered any questions we had about the upcoming event, which was very helpful. He was an extremely gracious host, and made us feel right at home. Being taught a new dish from a professional chef in person can be an intimidating experience, but Chef Mert made the techniques and recipes entertaining, and easy to follow. It was an evening that was both educational and relaxing, all around, plus, the food was excellent. We would be interested in taking another course with him in the future, and would certainly recommend him to any friends.
Rhett
18 May 2023
This was an amazing experience! Chef Mert is a master at his craft, and he helps you take a few steps closer to doing the same with cooking. His class is very well prepared, he had everything pre-measured and an agenda to make sure everything was seamless (he also gives a booklet with the instructions on how to cook the meals you cooked that day).
He is extremely knowledgable and explains why things are done a certain way, gives some background on the history of the foods, and even goes into a little bit of science! He also gives recommendations for alternative ingredients you can use, and why he chose what the specific ingredients we cooked with.
We are huge pasta fans but had never cooked or eaten pasta from scratch, and i never want to buy store bought again. The meal came out DELICIOUS and he made it very simple and approachable for us. The bruscheta crustini recipes were so simple but so fresh, they make for perfect healthy snacks. And the tiramisu was the perfect ending to the food coma.
He is also very personable and gave us some background on where he started, and his entire journey to where he is today, and where he wants to go.
Overall, i was extremely impressed with his professionalism and personability, along with his ability to make what is intimidating be very simple. We will definitely be taking another class and bringing friends along!
Nichole
16 May 2023
My partner and I booked “An Italian Date Night” with Chef Mert for our 8 year anniversary … and we’re so glad we did!
Chef’s home was easy to get to and parking was no issue. He was warm and welcoming, and certainly wow’d us with his mixture of “teaching” and “dining.”
My partner and I differ on taste palate and even experience level in the kitchen, so it was great when Chef accommodated us accordingly (example: knife and cutting skills that he focused on).
Highlight of the meal for me was the delicious artichoke and feta. For my partner, it was being hands on and making our own pasta.
Thanks to Chef Mert, we celebrated our anniversary in a unique and fun way that was better than just a regular dinner out. He even emailed us the recipes we worked on!
Highly recommend booking!
Melanie
12 May 2023
Chef Mert shared modern techniques with his classic family recipes for a Mediterranean feast unlike any we have experienced. We learned so much about flavors, and seasoning combinations which add depth and finesse to Mediterranean favorites like hummus and kebabs. An elevated dining experience from a warm, friendly and knowledgeable chef
Tarra
28 Apr 2023
We had the best time with Chef Mert! The food was fantastic and he was a very patient teacher. He was also flexible on scheduling to meet our desired date. Would highly recommend and can't wait to go back for another class soon!
Vikram
23 Apr 2023
Chef Mert is great! We had a group of six for a birthday celebration and Mert made it very memorable. The meal was incredible, we learned a ton, and Mert’s place is beautiful. We enjoyed a beautiful view of the LA skyline and mountains including a great view of the Hollywood sign. Highly recommend!
Davone
22 Apr 2023
Great food, Great service, really space.. Very knowledgeable and has easy to follow instructions. All the food was amazing! Would definitely use him in the future!
Tyler
21 Apr 2023
We really enjoyed the experience. The flavors of all the dishes were impressive. Excellent presentation. Chef Mert needed no assistance in my kitchen. Everything went perfectly.
Eduardo
04 Apr 2023
Mert was polite, knowledgeable and patient. He was thoughtful to us as his clients and fun to chat with about his life experiences inside and outside the kitchen. We would absolutely work with him again.
Kyle
04 Apr 2023
This was our first Cozymeal experience and it was AWESOME! Chef Mert was fantastic and really found the perfect balance between making the private cooking class interactive yet instructional. We felt like we had enough time to relax yet felt involved enough to learn new technique. His place was clean, modern, and in a great location with parking across the street. I'd highly recommend Chef Mert and we want to take more cooking classes from him in the future. This made for a great birthday surprise for my fiancГ©- make sure to bring wine like we did from the nearby Trader Joe's!
Larissa
29 Mar 2023
One of the best couple experiences we’ve had in our 5 years together. Food- Incredible! Best banana pudding my partner has ever had. Vibe-amazing! The views from Mert’s kitchen are breathtaking and his space is beautiful. Chef-Fantastic! Chef Mert was such a clear, kind communicator leading up to the dinner and made us feel so at ease while he cooked up legitimately some of the best food us east coasters have ever had. 10/10 would recommend for anyone looking for a charming, easeful, and tasty dining experience.
Ivan Lizarde
23 Mar 2023
I had the pleasure of attending a pasta making and cooking class with Chef Mert last night, and I must say it was an incredible experience. From start to finish, Chef Mert's passion for pasta making and cooking was evident, and his expertise was truly impressive.
Not only did Chef Mert teach us how to make delicious homemade pasta, but he also shared his secrets for creating the perfect sauce to pair with it. His guidance and attention to detail made the cooking process feel effortless and enjoyable, even for someone like me who is not a natural in the kitchen.
What stood out most to me was Chef Mert's warm and welcoming demeanor. He created an atmosphere that was both educational and fun, and he was always available to answer any questions we had.
Overall, I highly recommend Chef Mert's pasta making and cooking class to anyone who loves good food and wants to learn more about the art of pasta making. His passion, expertise, and welcoming personality make him an exceptional teacher, and I cannot wait to try out my new skills in my own kitchen.
Benjamin
20 Mar 2023
Chef Mert was fantastic. He was very friendly and great vibes. It was a perfect date night with my girlfriend. I would very much recommend any class by him, as whatever he teaches he will make very enjoyable. He came to our home, which was nice, but next time it sounds like his kitchen would be really great too.
Danielle
11 Mar 2023
So great! Chef Mert is a very talented, hospitable chef who made the experience fun and easy to follow (even for my husband who’s not the best of cooks…). He arrived early, prepped the kitchen, and left it the way he found it. The bread, pizza, and apple pie were all so good, we couldn’t stop eating. We’d definitely take another class with Mert!
Kirsten
09 Mar 2023
We had a fantastic time with Chef Mert! We learned a lot about homemade dough, and made a delicious meal. Huge bonus that we had dough to make more pizzas and focaccia right away to cement the skills we’d learned.
Kimberly
28 Feb 2023
My husband and I very much enjoyed our experience. The food was amazing and Chef Mert was an awesome chef and teacher.
I would definitely try this again and recommend this to others.
Jessica
18 Feb 2023
Chef Mert is fantastic. He came to our home and taught 4 of us how to make this delicious meal. We each got to take turns as the sous-chef to help make the dinner. Chef Mert was friendly, helpful, and a pleasure to have as our teacher.
Larissa
15 Feb 2023
Chef Mert prepared a delicious meal for our Galentine’s gathering. Everything was cooked and plated perfectly. We had an amazing time!
Tyler
10 Feb 2023
My parents absolutely loved Chef Mert and the meal he prepared. They have been raving about the food for a week. Chef was very helpful in accommodating dietary restrictions.
Chef Mert was also gracious and sociable presence in my parents' home. They loved talking with him and have already started spreading the word about him to family and friends.
Five stars all around, exceptional! Book your night with Chef Mert ASAP.
Gillian
02 Feb 2023
Chef Mert was just fabulous. I can't say enough. My dad, brother, and I did the pasta making class- even though we are above novice in skill, we were able to learn so much from Chef Mert - not to mention the food was absolutely delicious. Could not recommend enough!
Julia
01 Feb 2023
Chef Mert was fantastic! Mert has an expansive knowledge of food and various cuisines and was an amazing teacher. He was also so friendly and the food was absolutely delicious. I would recommend this class to everyone and will definitely be signing up for another of Chef Mert’s classes!
Lauran
31 Jan 2023
Chef Mert cooked us an amazing meal! Everything was delicious! He also spent the time to explain to us the ingredients in various dishes and his cooking techniques when we asked. We're looking forward to having him back for a cooking class in the future.
Nolan
30 Jan 2023
Chef Mert was very professional and provided a wonderful night for my girlfriend and I. We had leftovers and tiramisu after a wonderful dinner. Chef Mert is very talented and loves to teach. Great service!
Kristin
26 Jan 2023
I got this as a gift for my boyfriend for Christmas, and we loved it! Chef Mert was great. He showed up early to get started on the meal so that we could eat at our desired time, and he was a lot of fun during the process as well. My boyfriend and I love to cook, so we watched him and asked questions at all the various steps in the meal. Every course was extremely delicious as well and incorporated so many new flavors! We’re already thinking of more occasions to use him again for group events. Thanks Chef Mert!
Kristina
17 Jan 2023
Chef Mert was wonderful! We had an amazing experience cooking in the comfort of our own home while still making the night feel special. He made us (and our dogs) feel relaxed from start to finish. The food was delicious and Chef Mert offered great cooking tips. We could not have asked for a better date night. We will definitely be booking with Chef Mert again!
Jeff
16 Jan 2023
Mert was a pure delight and was the perfect balance of personality, quality food, and entertainment. I hosted a 12 person team dinner at my house and everyone sang praises for his food and the overall experience. Would definitely book again for any occasion.
Eugene
12 Jan 2023
Great experience. Wife and I loved it. Thanks again.
Joel
09 Jan 2023
This experience with Chef Mert was fantastic, I couldn't have asked for anything better. His communication was clear at every step, he was very accommodating and conscienscious of food allergies, and he was well-prepared to cover an incredible amount of topics in only a few hours. We all really appreciated his approachable teaching style and eagerness to involve us throughout the process, as hands-on learning only works if you get in there and get your hands dirty! We were especially interested in how his lessons would translate to using our Ooni pizza oven, so Chef Mert had us set up the oven and we cooked all the pizzas on the patio. He not only showed us great new techniques, but new and better ways to approach the things we've done a dozen times. We highly recommend this experience- Chef Mert is a wonderful teacher, has excellent stories to share, and his passion for good food cannot be beat!
Corey
08 Jan 2023
Could not recommend Chef Mert and the Italian Date Night course enough! Chef Mert comes fully prepared with everything you could ever need. Additionally, he takes the times to not just show you how to cook your meal but other hands on skills (knife sharpening, etc) that really made the class feel like a class. The meal came out delicious and Chef Mert took great care of us.
Marc
04 Jan 2023
Mert is friendly, talented, on time, neat & cool! The meal was delicious, the experience is great and it’s worth it.
Alexis
29 Dec 2022
Chef Mert was so sweet and a great teacher! We had a blast with him and learned new dishes to make at home! We definitely will book with him again soon!
Fabiola
28 Dec 2022
The class was such a delight. Chef Mert is very easy going, knowledgeable and professional. He explain all the recipes thoroughly and answers all questions very well. My family absolutely love the class.
Fady
28 Dec 2022
Chef Mert was a delight. He was on time, prepared the food and services exactly based as discussed. The Lamb was bomb! Highly recommend him.
Dad
28 Dec 2022
Chef Mert was great. We had a lot of fun and learned lots too.
Mackenzie
27 Dec 2022
Chef Merry was great! He talked us through every step and gave us helpful tips, plus made extra dough with us so that we can make more pizza and focaccia on our own in a few days. He was very friendly and interesting to chat with, and accommodated our request to use our new Ooni pizza oven (although a conventional oven would work just as well). Would highly recommend!
Kathleen
23 Dec 2022
Chef Mert was an absolute delight! He was kind, knowledgeable, and had fantastic energy. The evening was beautiful and made for the perfect date night! Can't wait to have him again!
Colton
22 Dec 2022
Had such a fantastic time and an amazing meal! We learned so much and had an incredible time!
Chrissi
20 Dec 2022
Chef Mert was a wonderful teacher. We learned a lot of great knife skills and other great cooking tips that I have already out to use. Our meal was delicious! I would highly recommend taking this class.
Natasha
14 Dec 2022
Fantastic all around! Chef Mert was a pro and kept us engaged and entertained the whole time. The food was incredible from beginning to end. Everyone at the dinner raved about the experience. Would definitely use again!
Jacques
14 Dec 2022
What a fun experience and so simple and easy! Chef Mert was great to chat to and showed us many tips and tricks for a perfect result - which brings me to the pizza and focaccia we made! Absolutely delicious! The best homemade doughs ever! Looking forward to doing more classes with him going forward! Highly recommend this experience!
Melissa
11 Dec 2022
This cooking class experience and Chef Mert were both 5 out of 5 stars! From the communication with me prior to the class, him showing up on time with all ingredients prepped and ready to go, and the deliciousness of the food... were all amazing. This was a surprise for my boyfriend that is an avid pizza maker but still had a few issues with his dough making and when Chef Mert walked him through the whole process and showed him a few tricks it was all worth the money.
It's these types of experiences that last with you forever because it was interactive, it was fun, and it was something different than the regular date night ideas. We made a focaccia bread (I'm drooling thinking about it now), a chicken bbq pizza and also a veggie pizza, and a delicious apple pie. The recipe for the pie and the pan he used to make it were handed down to him from his grandmother. It was those little intricacies that made this night so special.
I would definitely refer Chef Mert to all of my friends and family and my boyfriend even said he would hire him for our wedding catering lol.
This was an amazing experience through and through... Thanks Chef Mert!
Maddie
09 Dec 2022
Chef Mert was excellent!
I booked a private dinner for my boyfriend's birthday, and he was very accommodating with both of our diets (vegan and pescatarian) and made the necessary adjustments to the menu at no extra cost.
Very professional and punctual, highly recommend!
Suzie
04 Dec 2022
Chef Mert was great – interesting stories, culinary insights, tasty food. He was well organized, inclusive, prompt, friendly. Great for a special occasion.
mary
04 Dec 2022
Chef Mert was amazing. He explained what he was doing every step of the way. He offered insight to his experience and gave tips on where to buy ingredients. Everyone had a great time
Alexandra
25 Nov 2022
Incredible time. I will continue to use Chef Mert for private events. He was warm, considerate and a pleasure to spend Thanksgiving with.
Joel
24 Nov 2022
I am recommending Chef Mert to all of my friends who are interested in cooking. He shares his professional expertise and his teaching experience shines through as well. The food was all delicious and you get to keep the recipes for future use. Definitely will be reaching out for another class soon.
Karen Choi
21 Nov 2022
Great experience and fun. His first time doing a gluten free recipe and he knocked it out of the park.
June
21 Nov 2022
We booked Chef Mert for a 7-person pizza dough making party. One guest was on a gluten-free diet. Chef Mert went above and beyond my expectations by preparing a gluten free focaccia bread and pizza dough for my one guest.
Joe and Diane
21 Nov 2022
Chef was excellent and made the evening enjoyable and informative. The ages of guest ranged from 19 to 57 and he engaged everyone to participate and offer input while answering all our questions. Highly recommend him to anyone looking for something different for an evening of cooking, food and fun.
Christine
16 Nov 2022
Chef Mert is WONDERFUL!!!
He was on time, very organized, passionate, great sense of humor, and most of all excellent at what he does. He went above and beyond. He is very knowledgeable and has a lot of experience. Everything we made was delicious and made with joy and love. We had an amazing time. I recommend Chef Mert for any occasion and for different occasions. We will be contacting him again for different classes and for events. Thanks, Chef Mert, we loved our class :)
Cindy
31 Oct 2022
The meal that we prepared was excellent. I would definitely be able to re-create this again and again. We learned valuable kitchen skills. The rustic apple crumble will become a family favourite for our home.
Sheryl
27 Oct 2022
Chef Mert was amazing! He was very prepared and professional. Great personality, great food and great experience!!
Akaansha
25 Oct 2022
Great experience creating many different types of dough. He offered good tips and a lot of food! I wish it was maybe a little more hands on but with the amount of food we were making I don't think there would have been enough time for all that. Overall a worthwhile experience.
Robert
19 Oct 2022
We had a really nice time during our class with Chef Mert. He was very friendly and knowledgeable and communicated the skills for the lesson effectively. Everything was relaxed and stress-free and we enjoyed really enjoyed the meal at the end.
Nikki
11 Oct 2022
Chef Mert was absolutely wonderful! I booked him to cook an in home dinner for my husband and me, to celebrate my husband’s birthday. Every coarse he prepared was phenomenal. The sea bass was my absolute favorite. We really enjoyed talking with him too. He was so kind and brought such a calm energy to our home. Next time we want to do a pasta making night with him! Highly recommend chef Mert!
Brooke
04 Oct 2022
Amazing experience, and LOTS of food. Really fun and interactive. Chef Mert was great!
Ray
04 Oct 2022
We were very happy with Chef Mert. He is a true professional, very personable, and clearly has a passion for teaching and feeding others delicious meals. He answered our many questions and gave us bonus cooking tips, all while making high-quality Foccacia, pizza, and his unique apple crumble dessert. We give him the highest recommendation possible!
Mia
03 Oct 2022
Most amazing experience EVER. Chef Mert not only is so talented but he is so kind. The best hands on cooking experience with someone who truly knows their craft. Couldn’t have asked for a better experience.
Cindil
02 Oct 2022
We had a lot of fun with Chef Mert last night. He was polite, friendly, knowledgeable, and went above and beyond. He accommodated our dietary restrictions and even showed me how to sharpen my knives.
The dough making instructions was quick but not hard to follow and we even have some dough proofing in the fridge to bake later.
The food tasted great. We had a great variety of dishes and a delicious dessert. It was clear he used top quality ingredients and very professional methodology when cooking.
Highly recommend him!
Debbie
10 Sep 2022
We had a wonderful experience in our pizza, focaccia, and apple crumble class with Chef Mert. He was well prepared, friendly, helpful, creative, talented and an excellent teacher. Everything we made with him was beautiful and delicious.
Sarah
21 Jul 2022
My husband and I had an incredible time learning how to make three different types of dough. Chef Mert is an amazing teacher and even knew how to quickly handle an oil spill left in the oven from a prior meal. Can’t wait to schedule another lesson but next time with friends to join us!
weston
18 Jul 2022
Great chef! Very nice, professional, & informative!
It was a great time and the 4 of us would definitely use Chef Mert again!
Justin
04 Jul 2022
We had a great experience with Chef Mert! He came well-prepared and was a great teacher. Everything was delicious, especially the apple pie, and best of all, we have lots of leftovers and extra dough. We would definitely highly recommend this class and Chef Mert.
Blake Cooper
02 Jul 2022
Chef Mert was fantastic. We had such an incredible evening start to finish. He was very punctual and communicative. The food was delicious and it made a great date night. I’m still full the next morning. Definitely give this class a try— you won’t regret it!!!! :)
Reviews Chef Mert received outside of Cozymeal
Esra
27 Jun 2022
Chef Mert, thank you so sooo much for the beautiful buffet you created for my birthday. Everybody thought it was delicious and it made the whole event so much more special. I will highly recommend Chef Mert for any culinary experience, he is calm and professional and have everything under control which truly helped me on a stressful day of planning and hosting a big event!
Christina
27 Jun 2022
If you are a fan of vegan cuisine, it was a menu you should try without hesitation for a second. Every single item in the menu was literally nutritious and tasty, especially the taste of amuse-bouche with vegan caviar is still on my palate. It was a pure pleasure to have a passionate and incredible chef like him. Thank you Mert!
Gina
23 Jun 2022
I planned this as a surprise birthday gift for my boyfriend and Chef Mert made this class so fun & special! He brought everything we needed along with a bottle of wine. We had a great time getting to know him and eating his delicious food! Highly recommend this class for a fun & memorable date night.
Alex
20 Jun 2022
This guy, man! It's been a long time since i've eaten such a delicious meal. He is really dominant on duty and so professional. In addition to a magnificent menu, all the evenings were very successful in taking care of us. It won't take me long to hire him again. Yes chef!
Manos
20 Jun 2022
I hired Chef Mert for my dinner. Not sure how he made it happen to cook for so many people in my little Venice beach kitchen, his fine dining menu was incredible. Everything was super fresh and hot even we celebrated outside. Mert, thank you so much for EVERYTHING! I can't wait to have another dinner party with you.
Jess
20 Jun 2022
Thank you so much, Chef Mert for an incredible experience for my birthday party this year! The food was unreal, he used the best, most fresh ingredients and has such a unique way of putting dishes together, So yummy and such a smooth experience. Everyone was complimenting the food all night. He's also so easy going and such a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend him for your next event or occasion and i can't wait to book him again. Thank you for making my birthday so special. Chef!!!!
Bridget
28 May 2022
Chef Mert is fantastic! He provided us with a wonderful culinary experience that exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend his classes and booking him as your next private chef!
Eleanor
28 Dec 2023
Chef Mert was punctual and friendly. The meal he prepared for us was extraordinary, truly every course was special.
Our only disappointment was in the service - every course was very rushed - we would have liked to savor each course for longer, but almost minutes after we had begun one course he was ready to bring the next one. We got the sense that he was in a great hurry. He also didn't really engage with us - he did of course introduce himself briefly, but didn't ask if there were any special occasions (it was my birthday).
The food was undeniably delicious but the whole experience was perhaps 30 minutes. He left partially cleaned dishes in the sink before leaving. Again, the food was tremendous but we had hoped for a dining experience, not the fastest four course meal possible. Perhaps Chef Mert has outgrown Cozymeal and is on to bigger and better things. We didn't feel very important to him.
