When we interviewed Ahmet Dede, head chef of Dede in Baltimore, none of us (including Dede) were aware that he was about to win another Michelin star. Instead we listened, rapt, to the many stories he had to tell. Among them: childhood memories of lavish breakfasts on the floor of the Ankara house that his grandfather built;  his rise in Ireland to earn his first Michelin star at the West Cork restaurant, the Mews; and the origins of some of his favourite dishes in his native country of Turkey. What are Turkish culinary regional differences? What constitutes a great kebab? Most importantly, is it possible to be both a dedicated chef and a passionate Turkish native, yet manage to keep those identities separate?

Note: we had so much fun talking to chef Dede that we reluctantly had to cut some of the interview for time. Specifically, Blanca, Dee, and Mei, in their wrap up, refer to Dede educating himself on the Michelin system by reading The Perfectionist, Rudolph Chelminski’s scrupulous biography of the tragic chef Bernard Loiseau. You can find Dede talking about beginning as a pizza chef to earning his first MIchelin on the bonus material on the Headstuff+ website.

Chef Dede also said that he is planning to have his mother into the restaurant for a Four Hands dinner as soon as it is possible. Once you hear Dede talk about his mother’s cooking , you will be as excited as we are.

Watch www.spicebags.ie

and www.customhousebaltimore.com/ for updates on this event.

Referenced in this episode:

Dede Restaurant, Customs House, Baltimore www.customhousebaltimore.com/dede

Ayla Turkish Foods, 30 Capel Street, Dublin: www.ayla.ie

On Dede's new Michelin Star in the Irish Independent: www.independent.ie/life/food-drink/food-news/ahmet-dede-bags-his-second-michelin-star-with-less-formal-dining-by-the-sea-40010934.html

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