Japanese and Brazilian Dinner Experience with a Turkish Twist
On a Saturday evening when the spirit of the season had no need to hide, we delicately set our tables to welcome conversations beyond eating. At the heart of this event, in collaboration with Sakai.Cooks, was more than just a food gathering. It was about bringing people together through this experience, fostering connections, and creating moments worth remembering. This dream was also one of the coincidences that brought us together with Sakai.Cooks…
Agnes, the creator of Amsterdam-based Sakai.Cooks, is a chef who expresses her multicultural identity through the dishes she creates. Her dishes have the essence of her birthplace, São Paulo, the Brazilian island of Florianopolis where she grew up, and her father's Japanese heritage. Additionally, they draw inspiration from the cuisines of the countries she has discovered and are further enriched with local flavours from Turkish cuisine, thanks to her partner.
The story behind Sakai.Cooks goes back to her childhood in Florianopolis, where Sunday gatherings from breakfast to dinner, bringing family, friends, and neighbours together around the table. Over time, as she discovered new places, she transformed this unifying routine into a series of events that connect people, cultures, and lifestyles. After Sakai.Cooks’ gatherings in Florianopolis, at “KINTO” in Amsterdam, and with “and Co Japan” in Osaka, similar intentions and thoughts naturally accompanied the table we set that evening in Istanbul.
For this event, which we themed as the "Japanese and Brazilian Dinner Experience with a Turkish Twist", we set up a U-shaped table setup in the back lounge of Casa Cooklife. The table, curated by our team member Arzu, was adorned with her ikebana arrangements, our Sand Black collection, and themed postcards designed by our Art Director Burcu.
Our menu was inspired by the Japanese culture that Cooklife has embraced, blended with Agnes’s Brazilian and Japanese roots, our Head Chef Kubilay's and his team's experience in Japanese cuisine, and enriched with local touches. This six-course menu was a delightful surprise for our participants.
Menu
Slow Welcome with Sake Yuzu Spritz
Onigiri Midye Dolma
Haddock Ceviche
Japanese Hummus
Udon Sea Bass Moqueca
Honey Kaymak Cream Cannoli
Coffee Burnt Cheesecake
Pistachio Brigadeiro
As evening gently settled in, we began welcoming our guests, just moments before the event commenced. Casa Cooklife's serene ambience gradually came alive with the presence of our 30 participants, who, after engaging in brief conversations, were guided to their carefully assigned seats. The seating arrangement had been thoughtfully curated in advance, informed by the survey responses we received, to foster meaningful connections rooted in shared interests and lifestyles.
That night, the experience unfolded harmoniously as each course on the menu was savoured alongside conversations that naturally developed at the tables. These exchanges, initiated within individual groups, soon transcended boundaries, weaving together shared narratives while inviting new perspectives. The result was an evening of genuine connection and lasting memories.
