ABOUT
Refika Birgül graduated from Robert College and then studied Psychology at Koç University. She received leadership training at the London Business School. After graduating, she worked in production for the IF Istanbul Independent Film Festival and the Istanbul Arts and Culture Foundation. She then became a high-level executive and general manager for Özel Doğan Hospital for six years before finally founding Refika’s Kitchen.
Refika is renowned for her unique practical and contemporary take on Turkish cuisine that advocates for seasonality, local ingredients and respect for traditional techniques. In February 2017, she founded the Turkish-language Youtube channel “Refika’nin Yemek Okulu” (Refika’s Culinary School), with more than 2.1 million followers. In 2020 she launched the English-language global version, “Refika’s Kitchen”, on YouTube.
Refika Birgul has published five cooking books and produced three TV shows over the past decade.