Interview with Melike Okur, graduate of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts

An interview was made with Melike Okur, a newly graduated student from Istanbul Gelişim University (IGU) Fine Arts Faculty (GSF) Gastronomy and Culinary Arts Department.
 
Hello, first of all, can you tell us a little about yourself?
 
Hello, I'm Melike Okur. I am 23 years old. I live in Istanbul. I graduated from Istanbul Gelisim University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts. I am currently looking for a job and I am planning to prepare for the KPSS exam and get formation for teaching. The biggest reason why I chose this profession is my great interest in patisserie and kitchen.
 
What was the main motivation for you to choose Istanbul Gelişim University Gastronomy and Culinary Arts Department and how did this process work for you?
 
The source of my adventure about cooking and food comes from childhood. Because of my interest in pastry and cuisine, I preferred the Cookery department in high school. With my internship in high school, I had the chance to enter the patisserie and my passion for this department increased even more. At university, my desire to progress in this profession turned into a desire to spread what I learned to other students, and I decided to study Gastronomy and Culinary Arts at Istanbul Gelişim University in order to continue in this profession and to become a teacher.
 
You completed your second internship this summer. What advice can you give to your friends who will do internships?
 
My advice to my friends who will do their internship is that they should choose the company where they will do their internship very well. Because the knowledge and experience that the business will add to them is very important. It is important that when you enter the kitchen, they should try to get all the information they can from the chefs, because this is an opportunity for us. Finally, and most importantly, when they have the opportunity to enter the kitchen, it is a great experience to see all the departments in the kitchen and to work in different units. In this way, they will have knowledge in every kitchen and area. During the internship process, it is very important to take the opportunities and gain a lot of experience.

You are now a graduate. Do you have industry experience, how did you spend your student years? Can you tell us about your next goals and plans?
 
4 years have passed and now I have graduated. I feel more prepared and self-confident in terms of this profession and my future thanks to the opportunities provided by my teachers and school, and the knowledge and experience I have been able to add to myself in my student life.
My next goal is to first work in a qualified hotel and gain more knowledge and experience, and then become a teacher so that I can share my experiences in this profession. Then I want to open my own business.