My name is Halise. I am from eastern Turkey, although at university I met people from other regions and learnt about various different cultures and recipes.

I grew up in a big city with my three big sisters who were already helping my mum in the kitchen. I was always asking ‘Please can I help?’ By the time I got to university I had learned how to cook just by watching!

In the summer I loved going to stay with my mum’s family, who lived in a village. They grew and cooked their own vegetables. There I had my Grandma all to myself and learned to make yoghurt and cheese, which I still make for my own family.

Big meals at home with family and friends were an important part of our lives. We had to be strong to manage the huge pots we used. Our food traditions are very varied with lots of different recipes for meat and vegetables.